Edinburgh Airport drop off charge ‘will lead to congestion’
19.08.10
Planned drop-off charges at Edinburgh Airport are likely to cause the congestion they are supposed to eradicate, the Scotsman reports that a tourism body has said. The Midlothian Tourism Forum, which represents almost 40 tourism businesses in the area, made the comments after a meeting last week, attended by council members.
The controversial fee will be introduced in October after the car park has had a £1m upgrade. Motorists dropping off or picking up passengers will be subject to a charge of £1 for the initial ten minutes as they leave the area. The airport claims the charges are required to fund the upgrading and expansion of the terminal drop-off zone and that they will cut congestion and lead to more passengers using public transport.
However, critics of the plan argue the move will disadvantage those with a disability and the elderly, will not improve the current arrangement and the fee is not high enough to discourage drivers. Chairman of the Midlothian forum Quintin Young told the newspaper: ‘The proposals are as likely to cause the congestion which they are designed to eliminate and are equally likely to cost more to administer than they raise in revenue.’
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