Edinburgh, Road Pricing and the Boundary Problem: Issues of Equity and Efficiency

Abstract

Discussions of road user charging in Scotland have been confined to the proposed introduction of road user charging in Edinburgh. This report summarises the findings of a research study into some of the equity and efficiency issues surrounding the proposed introduction of road user charging in Edinburgh. Each road user pricing scheme is extremely dependent upon the specific context in which it is introduced and this report seeks to unpack some of the issues concerning the currently (Spring 2004) unfolding proposals for the scheme in Edinburgh. Using a review of the existing policy and academic literature, press reports, telephone interviews, physical interviews and reviewing the precognition statements to the Public Inquiry on Congestion Charging in Edinburgh, this report provides a stakeholder analysis of the Edinburgh Road User Charging policy environment.