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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/uk-city-edinburgh-road-charges-petrol-diesel-drivers",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-05T11:28:01.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Chinese brands see car sales spike as BYD and Jaecoo seek 'even greater future success'",
    "Traffic disruptions along major motorway prompts new taskforce to tackle 'weekly' driving issue",
    "Popular cars could disappear from UK roads within years as drivers avoid high costs",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDrivers have been warned they could see new congestion charges introduced in Scotland under new proposals aimed at tackling pollution.\n\nReports suggest that Edinburgh City Council has started looking at whether the Scottish capital could benefit from further driving restrictions.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe proposed daily toll has reignited debates over whether the measures could be used to tackle air pollution caused by petrol and diesel cars.\n\nThe city had previously rejected plans for a congestion charge in 2005, with suggestions that drivers should pay £2 to enter the city.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe council amended the City Mobility Plan last year, which could allow the council to explore new road charges.\n\nCouncillor Chas Booth said at the time: \"There is an opportunity today to start a conversation about road user charging. Let's start that conversation.\n\n\"I'm delighted Edinburgh has agreed to start conversations about congestion charging with other councils.\n\n\"It's absolutely clear that Edinburgh will not meet its commitments to address the climate emergency unless we take bold action to encourage people to choose more sustainable alternatives to the private car.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCurrently, the city operates its own Low Emission Zone, which acts as a daily barrier preventing more polluting vehicles from travelling in the city.\n\nDrivers who fail to meet the emission standards are fined £60, which can double to £120 if unpaid.\n\nLondon and Oxford are the only cities across the UK to operate a congestion charge, with the latter being introduced in October last year.\n\nMotorists in Oxford have to pay £5 per day to drive through six specific, camera-enforced locations.\n\n\nIn response to Edinburgh's decision to explore a congestion charge, Lothians MSP Miles Briggs said he was \"really concerned\" about the impact of the daily fee.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Chinese brands see car sales spike as BYD and Jaecoo seek 'even greater future success'\n  * Traffic disruptions along major motorway prompts new taskforce to tackle 'weekly' driving issue\n  * Popular cars could disappear from UK roads within years as drivers avoid high costs\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe told STV: \"This was overwhelmingly rejected by the population of Edinburgh back in 2005 - but it is now being brought back by councillors to try and develop almost as a stealth tax.\n\n\"The council is undertaking a consultation on this, yet it's quite clear they do not want to put this to the people. I want to make sure the public is aware of this, so we have an opportunity to say 'no' before it is snuck in through the back door.\"\n\nHe warned people do not want to see additional taxes, adding that it's not right given the cost of living crisis.\n\nCouncillor Stephen Jenkinson warned that tackling congestion was \"one of the biggest challenges\" facing Edinburgh.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe shared: \"Over the last three years, this administration has chosen to invest in solutions that actually reduce congestion: delivering major active travel projects, introducing a fully electric cycle hire scheme, leading a regional electric vehicle charging partnership, and seeing consistent growth in tram and bus use.\"\n\nMr Jenkinson explained that simply creating more road space and \"clinging to an outdated 'car first' mindset is short-sighted, finite and ultimately counter-productive, it doesn't solve congestion, it entrenches it\".\n\nThe council is currently waiting to see the outcome of Transport Scotland's regulatory review, which will determine whether it has the power to take consider congestion charges.\n\n\"As our city continues to grow, we need bold, evidence-led solutions that put people first - and I'm confident that this approach is the right one for residents, businesses and the future of our city,\" Mr Jenkinson added.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "UK city eyes new road charges for petrol and diesel drivers in blow to thousands - 'Start the conversation'"
}