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Road User Charging
Consultation on Exemption Regulations Under
Section 54 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001
UNISON Scotland's response to the Scottish
Executive's Consultation on the Exemption Regulations Under Section
54 of the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001
February 2004
Executive Summary
- UNISON Scotland fully recognises that there may be a case
for congestion charging schemes in Scotland. However, such
schemes must be seen to be fair to all communities.
- We fully recognise that charging schemes should only be
introduced when a range of alternative transport improvements
is in place.
- We support the proposal that there should be fair treatment
for those people who pay the charge.
- We believe that essential public service workers should
be included in a national minimum exemption.
Introduction
UNISON is Scotland's largest trade union representing
over 145,000 members working in the public sector. Our members
are employed in local government, the health service, care services,
water authorities, and in the voluntary sector. We welcome the
opportunity to respond to the Scottish Executive's consultation
document on Exemption Regulations Under Section 54 of the Transport
(Scotland) Act 2001.
This paper constitutes UNISON Scotland's response
to the consultation document issued by the Scottish Executive
on Exemption Regulations Under Section 54 of the Transport (Scotland)
Act 2001.
Response
The UNISON Scotland response to the questions are
as follows: -
Annex A
Question 1
Do you think that there should be any groups of
people; classes of vehicles; or types of activity that we should
include in our national minimum exemptions from road user
charging schemes?
. What should they be?
In addition to the list already in the draft regulation
please consider adding essential Local Government services such
as Social Workers and Home Carers. National Health Service workers
and patients should also be exempted.
. Why should they be exempted?
These key public services provide a fundamental
part in day to day life across Scotland. This group of workers
provides an essential public service and lifeline to every community,
regardless of geographical boundaries, across Scotland.
. What might the impact of their exemption
from road user charging schemes be on traffic levels/ congestion
and/ or noise emissions?
There would be a minimal impact from this as this
group of workers is not disproportionate to the key services that
they carry out.
Question 2
Do you think that there should be any groups of
people; classes of vehicles; or types of activity that should
not be exempted from road user charging schemes?
. What should they be?
Individuals if based solely on administrative boundaries
and other ‘non transport related' geographical boundaries.
. Why should they not be exempted?
These individuals cause as much congestion travelling
around the charging area as any one coming in from out the area.
Congestion charging regulations cover vehicle classifications
and do not refer to groups of people.
. What might the impact of their non-exemption
from road user charging schemes be on traffic levels/ congestion
and/ or noise emissions?
This should encourage them to use public transport
to carry out their trips to help reduce congestion and thereby
reduce emissions. If they continue to use their car then they
will be contributing to the congestion.
Conclusion
UNISON Scotland believes that road user charging
schemes should be fair for all communities across Scotland. UNISON
Scotland also believes that essential Local Government service
and National Health Service workers should be included in the
national minimum exemptions.
For Further Information Please Contact:
Matt Smith, Scottish Secretary
UNISONScotland
UNISON House
14, West Campbell Street,
Glasgow G2 6RX
Tel 0141-332 0006 Fax 0141 342 2835
e-mail
matt.smith@unison.co.uk
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