Thread by @SW20Ed

Worth re-tweeting this thread on the #Edinburgh Workplace Parking Levy.

It’s a key tool for the council in hitting its own car km reduction target.

@SanneDD @kevin_lang @CouncillorCowdy @CllrScottArthur @DAstonSNP @julebandel @KatrinaFaccenda @FinlayMcF @KayleighFONeill

https://twitter.com/SW20Ed/status/1494046602423676930

One this is for sure: there is no perfect policy.

But there’s much scope for mitigating it’s impacts.

However exemptions will need to be managed carefully should it not become too watered down or difficult to administer.

https://twitter.com/SW20Ed/status/1700482327367827579

The impact assessment is interesting - worth a read - but missed a fundamental point: that if the scheme is watered down with significant exemptions then that mean less funding raised for public transport and more traffic - harming those it identifies as most impacted!

Facts:

200k+ #Edinburgh residents don’t have access to a car. Many who do still rely on public transport.

The richer you are, the more likely you are have multiple cars and drive more.

#Edinburgh women have shorter commutes, women are less likely to have a drivers license.

“why don’t you just use the powers you’ve got” is a sadly familiar refrain in Scottish politics - as maddeningly frustrating as talking only about needing carrots but not sticks… despite evidence saying sticks are effective and make the carrots easier to buy and more attractive!