The Scottish Government has confirmed plans to give local authorities new powers to introduce road user charging in their areas. This is when drivers must pay a fee to use public roads in some circumstances.
The aim of this approach, it seems, is to encourage authorities to use charging measures as a method to manage demand. It is also apparent that it is being used to raise funds, with ministers stating that any regional or local road user charging that’s introduced has the potential to significantly increase revenue.
Work has already begun creating the technical regulations needed to support these schemes. However, the Scottish government added that further regulations are still needed before local authorities can enforce them.
This comes from a “renewed policy statement” from the Scottish government last week. It added that it would cut car kilometres by 20% by 2030, after conceding that it likely wouldn’t meet this goal, but is still aiming to reduce car dependency across the country.
In a joint foreword, transport secretary Fiona Hyslop and chancellor Gail MacGregor said: “Our policy approach will necessarily be a regional and differentiated one which takes into account place-specific measures to enable positive change in rural and island communities.
“For decades now, we have all experienced the benefits that car use can provide – now we need to agree collectively and as a nation, that there can be benefits from reducing our car use. We must work together, as national and local government, to realise them.”
Read more of the latest road safety news on the Anglo Liners blog. Alternatively, click here for a free road marking quote.