Return of the congestion charge?
Plus: 'Machete' attack in drug gang war; and £32m university building named 'one of best in Scotland'
City council to begin work on new congestion charge plans
The city council is to start talks with Glasgow and other local authorities aimed at developing plans for a congestion charge in Scottish cities.
Any such scheme would work over and above Edinburgh’s current Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in the immediate city centre, possibly charging motorists who drive into the Capital. The move would require the support of the Scottish Government as local authorities in Scotland do not currently have the full powers they need to enforce a charge.
Edinburgh is one of ten UK cities with an LEZ or Clean Air Zone which charges motorists driving into them, including Glasgow, Birmingham and Bristol, but only London operates a congestion charge.
Edinburgh has set a target of cutting traffic levels by 30% by 2030 but is not currently on course to meet the target. Councillors have agreed to open talks with Glasgow, the Lothians councils and other local authorities with a view to agreeing a framework for a scheme.
When could it happen? Even supporters of the proposal admit it is likely to be several years before a congestion charge could be introduced, due to the need to amend legislation. Many city councillors and campaigners hope to put pressure on the Scottish Government to make the necessary changes. With no congestion charge plan in the SNP government’s current Programme for Government, supporters hope to turn the question into an election issue for the Scottish Parliament next May.
Haven’t we been here before? A congestion charge scheme, which would have seen motorists charged £2 (the equivalent of £3.50 today), was rejected by a three to one majority in a local referendum in Edinburgh in 2005.
What they say: Greens councillor Chas Booth said it was time to start work on how a congestion charge might operate in Scotland. Stephen Jenkinson, Labour councillor and the city council’s transport convener, said: “Is it something we should consider looking at? I think we should. I think it’s going to be challenging. We really need the Scottish government to help us.”
What else is the council doing? The local authority has agreed to prioritise a series of key transport projects over the coming decade, including the extension of 20mph zones; trialling 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a week bus lanes; George street improvements including more active travel; the Meadows to George Street active travel scheme; the Corstorphine low traffic neighbourhood; Dalmahoy junction safety measures; and changes to improve the town centres and reduce traffic in Dalry, Portobello and South Queensferry and Portobello.
Xmas parking charges? The council is also looking into scrapping free parking on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Boxing Day and Easter Monday - the only current parking charge holidays - to help fund subsidies for important, but unprofitable bus services.
YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING
‘MACHETE’ ATTACK: A 54-year-old man is being treated in hospital after a reported machete attack outside a house in the city’s Greenbank area. It is the third attack at the property in Pitcairn Grove during the city’s on-going ‘drug gang war’.
MARATHON MUDDLE: Scotrail has apologised to Edinburgh Marathon runners after complaints some were unable to get to the start line in time due to early morning trains into the Capital from Glasgow being too crowded for them to get on.
‘TRUMP SLUMP’: A drop in demand for US holidays, being blamed on Donald Trump and his anti-immigration policies, has seen prices for trans-Atlantic flights slashed. The cost of direct flights from Edinburgh in September have dropped as low as £404 for New York and £407 for Boston.
BEST BUILDING: One of the University of Edinburgh’s campus developments has been shortlisted to be Scotland’s best new building by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). The £32m Nucleus Buildings by Sheppard Robson on the King’s Buildings campus, which includes teaching, learning and social spaces, has been described by the judges as a deftly executed piece of civic architecture. The university has been criticised for investing in its property portfolio at the cost of teaching and its staff, as it targets £140 million in savings including widespread job cuts.
GAELIC FLAT: The University of Edinburgh is to open a Gaelic-language flat for up to six students. The flat in the university’s Fraser Court accommodation, off Dalkeith Road, will be available to students, regardless of the course they study, who speak Gaelic at home. It follows the popularity of a similar initiative at Glasgow University.
JOEL BRAIN CONDITION: US singer-songwriter Billy Joel, 76, has cancelled his Murrayfield concert planned for next summer alongside his other forthcoming tour dates after being diagnosed with a rare brain condition.
MENTAL HEALTH CUTS: More than 1300 people have signed a petition against proposed cuts to community mental health services - Community mental health services face being “dismantled” in the Capital - within days of its launch. The Augustine United Church is also set to be full for a public meeting tonight to discuss the damaging impact of the proposed cuts on lifeline services.
VOLUNTEER EDINBURGH: The growth of Volunteer Edinburgh from a small volunteer exchange to one of the city’s most dynamic third sector organisations has been celebrated at a civic reception. Lord Provost Robert Aldridge (pictured above) and guests heard how Volunteer Edinburgh has supported more than 60,000 volunteers and played a crucial role in the city’s response to the Covid pandemic, welcoming refugees from the war in Ukraine and NHS vaccination programmes. However, its UK-first “Voluntary Work as Therapy” project, which has helped more than 2,500 people over the past decade, is under threat due to proposed health and social care cuts.
GREGGS OUTLET: Greggs is to open its first discount outlet in Edinburgh offering many of its usual range of products at hugely discounted prices. The bakery chain’s Greggs Outlet shops cut down waste and help those less well-off by offering unsold food from the previous day collected form its regular high street stores. The new store will open at Glenalmond Place, Sighthill.
12 CHALLENGE LABOUR: Labour candidate Catriona Munro will face 12 challengers when she seeks to retain the city council seat in the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election on 26 June. The election has been sparked by the death of senior Labour councillor Val Walker. Labour is running the local authority as a minority administration with just 11 out of 63 seats thanks to the support of the Lib Dems and Conservatives.
Pic of the Week
THE BUSINESS
Conference Centre chief going out on a record
The outgoing chief executive of Edinburgh International Conference Centre is leaving on a high after the organisation posted record revenues in its most recent financial year.
Marshall Dallas will leave the post he has held since 2014 this summer, after tendering his resignation last Autumn following fall-outs with the city council – arms-length owners of the EICC company – over failed plans to deliver a conference hotel at Haymarket.
In its most recent accounts the EICC recorded revenues of £16m, a profit of £2.1 million, and economic impact of £78 million. The organisation was loss-making when Dallas took the helm. The search for his successor is ongoing.
AL FRESCO TRIAL: Edinburgh restaurants are to be allowed to extend the hours food and drinks can be served outside. City councillors have agreed a one year trial, beginning in July, to permit hours of 7.30am till 10.00 pm.
The issue was raised by city restaurateur Tony Crolla of the Vittoria Group on social media and then reported by the Inquirer. However the city’s heritage watchdog, the Cockburn Association, has raised concerns over noise and asked council officials to police the new hours carefully.
LATEST EDITION: The Scotsman and Edinburgh News newspapers are to change hands for the fifth time in just 20 years, Terry Murden reports in The Daily Business, following formal approval of the acquisition of parent company National World by Neo Media Publishing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Irish group Media Concierge in a deal which values Media World at £65.1million.
AUCTION SUCCESS: The former Bonham’s Auction House at 22 Queen Street has been transformed into one of the city’s top office buildings. The Auction Rooms redevelopment is already at full occupancy for its flexible, services workspaces.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
TAKE THAT! It’s take that week in Edinburgh. Gary Barlow’s visit to the Usher Hall on Thursday as part of his Song Book tour may be slightly overshadowed by his ex-bandmate’s appearance on Saturday. Some tickets are still available to see Robbie Willliams at Murrayfield Stadium. Any sightings of Jason Orange, Mark Owen or Howard Donald in Edinburgh this week should be reported to Inquirer HQ.
DANGER AT THE BOTANICS: The first retrospective of the pioneering feminist artist Linder to be shown in Scotland showcases 50 years of her work at the Inverleith House Gallery in the Botanic Garden. Her satirical photomontages combine a fascination with plants and a willingness to challenge traditional ideas about gender and sexuality. Linder: Danger Came Smiling is recommended for audiences aged 16 and over as it includes depictions of nudity and images of a sexual nature. Open daily 10.30am-4.30pm until 19 October. Free entry.
FLOATING MEMORIAL MUSEUM: The former Norwegian warship SS Hestmanden is visiting Leith and is open daily at 11am-5pm from today until Thursday. It now serves as a museum and memorial to the Norwegian sailors of the Second World War. The ship will be berthed near the Royal Yacht Britannia and entry is free.
QUICK BITES
OPEN HOUSE: New bar and bistro Dublin St Social has opened on Dublin Street in the New Town. The venue serves food from all day except Sundays when it closes at 5pm, and from 12pm until 1am on Tuesdays, serving drinks only.
TOP CHEF: Roberta Hall-McCarron of Edinburgh’s The Little Chartroom, Eleanore and Ardfern restaurants is shortlisted for Chef of the Year in the National Restaurant Awards 2025.