MSP launches petition against Edinburgh Airport drop off charge
06.07.10
An MSP has launched a petition against plans to charge motorists £1 for dropping off passengers at Edinburgh Airport, the Scotsman reports. Airport operator BAA is to introduce the charges from the beginning of October, which has sparked fury among motorists, passengers and politicians, with the company accused of profiteering.
Lothians Conservative MSP Gavin Brown has launched a petition, which he hopes will get thousands of signatures, in a bid to stop the charges. He also lodged a motion at Holyrood protesting at what he describes as a ‘tax’ that could see BAA taking almost £1 million a year extra from motorists. The motion has attracted cross-party support, with 15 MSPs backing it.
Edinburgh Airport bosses claim the charge is needed to cover the £4m cost of improving services for passengers and also reduce vehicle emissions. The operator says that it wants to encourage people using the airport to travel there by public transport. However, Mr Brown told the newspaper that, since the charges were announced, he had been contacted by pensioners and families with young children who do not have an alternative way of getting to the airport.
The petition, which has been posted online, describes the charges as ‘just plain mean’ and demands that BAA scrap the plans.
To book edinburgh airport hotel or edinburgh airport car park at the lowest price, click on these links to two great Edinburgh airport parking and Edinburgh airport hotel price comparison pages.
