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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/edinburgh-congestion-charge-campaign-drivers-daily-fee",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-09T17:12:36.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "E.ON announces price update for homeowners with electric car chargers impacting thousands",
    "Countdown to Rachel Reeves' new car taxes commences as petrol and diesel drivers given weeks to prepare",
    "British brand launches 'breakthrough' hybrid technology with impressive 1,200km range",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDrivers have been urged to vote against an upcoming congestion charge ruling across Edinburgh, which would slap thousands with a daily fee.\n\nThe Scottish Conservatives have launched a new campaign calling for Edinburgh City Council to scrap plans to introduce a congestion charge across the Scottish capital.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt warned that the proposed charge would push the cost of living up even higher, punishing drivers in the process.\n\nMiles Briggs MSP for Lothian expressed his concern over the proposed charges last week, which have now prompted a petition by the Conservatives.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe said: \"Councillors in Edinburgh have voted to develop a framework for a congestion charge in the capital that could see residents in East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian having to pay more than £4,000 a year to drive into the city.\n\n\"The First Minister says that he is interested in the cost of living, so does he agree that it is unfair for my constituents to pay to drive to work, visit family or go to the hospital?\"\n\nThe MSP suggested that it should be decided by a referendum of those impacted, as it had been in 2005, which was voted down by 74 per cent of residents.\n\nIn response, the First Minister said: \"There is a dilemma at the heart of the question that Miles Briggs raises.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"On a regular basis, members of Parliament press the Government to enable local authorities to take more comprehensive decisions about their localities.\n\n\"Over time, Mr Briggs has argued for me to enable local authorities to have more scope to do things, but he is now asking me to intervene to stop that happening.\"\n\nWriting for Midlothian Review, Mr Briggs highlighted how commuters spend more than 100 hours in traffic jams, and would be put off by the huge 260 per cent jump in price of London's Congestion Charge.\n\nHe explained that when adjusted for inflation, the proposed daily charge in Edinburgh from 2005 was roughly £3.90.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * E.ON announces price update for homeowners with electric car chargers impacting thousands\n  * Countdown to Rachel Reeves' new car taxes commences as petrol and diesel drivers given weeks to prepare\n  * British brand launches 'breakthrough' hybrid technology with impressive 1,200km range\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWhen assuming a working year of 250 days, the congestion charge could cost drivers nearly £1,000 in the first year.\n\nThe Taxpayers' Alliance, the Alliance of British Driver several councillors in Lothian, and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce have all expressed concerns with the plans.\n\nMr Briggs questioned: \"So far, no one has been able to explain to me why Labour supports a charge in one city but opposes it in another when the two councils are proposed to collaborate on the framework for this tax.\n\n\"Congestion charges are the SNP's next cash grab. After nearly two decades of failure on transport, they now want to charge you just to drive in your own city.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"It's a tax on workers. A tax on small businesses. A tax on families. Instead of fixing crumbling roads and unreliable public transport, they want motorists to pay more. The Scottish Conservatives will oppose congestion charges across Scotland.\"\n\nIf introduced, Edinburgh would become the third UK city to operate a daily scheme after London's Congestion Charge and a temporary one in Oxford.\n\nThe Conservative MSP added that small businesses already face \"huge strain\" from parking costs, the Low Emission Zone and tourist tax.\n\nHe also criticised the SNP-led Scottish Government, claiming it has failed to address key infrastructure problems, such as long-running issues on the Edinburgh bypass.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Congestion charge fears across UK city prompts huge campaign as drivers face eye-watering daily fee"
}