Glasgow City Council considering Clyde Tunnel toll and congestion charge

Glasgow is considering bringing in a driver congestion charge and Clyde Tunnel toll as Transport Scotland suggests the city could take a ‘leading role’ in looking at a new scheme.

The local authority has expressed interest in rolling out driver charges that would only apply to people who don’t live in the city.

But a regulatory check is to be carried out before councils can introduce the system – and that is not likely to happen until after next year’s Scottish Parliament elections in May, a meeting heard.

Councillor Angus Millar told last week’s full council meeting: “The council has no specific proposals to introduce any road user charging in Glasgow.

“However, members will be aware that the council has repeatedly stated its interest in further exploring possibilities around a boundary congestion charge and potential tolling at the Clyde Tunnel – both with exemptions for Glasgow residents.”

The convenor for climate, Glasgow Green Deal, transport and city centre recovery added: “Council officers continue to engage with Transport Scotland and COSLA, particularly in relation to national commitments to reduce car vehicle mileage and the potential roll out of road user charging as a travel demand management tool.

“Transport Scotland has expressed interest in Glasgow and Edinburgh taking a lead role in exploring road user charging and we anticipate further discussions with City of Edinburgh Council in establishing their interest.”

Explaining how legal details are to be firmed up, the SNP councillor said: “We welcome the recent commitment from Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to undertake legislative and regulatory review to establish how the process can be clarified for local authorities to take forward and this is a matter I have engaged with officials and other councils on via COSLA.”

He added: “We will engage in the coming legislative review to ensure Glasgow is well positioned to consider any developments.”

His comments came after Scottish Green councillor Blair Anderson asked for an “update on proposals for road user charging in the city following the Scottish Government’s recent commitment to empower councils to introduce schemes.”

Welcoming the continued interest in the scheme, Councillor Anderson said the “only way we can meet our climate targets is moving people from cars to public transport.”

He added: “A road user charging scheme would give us the money to make Glasgow’s buses publicly owned, reliable, fast and free.”