28/05/2008

GRAHAME CALLS FOR DEBATE ON RURAL ROAD TAX SCHEME

MSP Christine Grahame has called for a national debate on the costs of rural transport aimed at alleviating the disproportionate costs placed on motorists in rural areas such as the Scottish Borders. Ms Grahame, in a debate at the Parliament today (Wednesday) will call for consideration of a banded rural road tax scheme which would  reduce the taxation burden on motorists living in rural parts of the country. Ms Grahame said:

“At the moment road tax levels are decided in London and therefore I am proposing that Westminster considers a scheme which sets road tax levels based on the postcode of the registered keeper of the vehicle. These levels would be banded in increments so that a motorist living in the Ettrick valley would pay less than a motorist in central Galashiels, who in turn would pay considerably less than a driver in Edinburgh.

“There may of course be other alternatives to ease the financial pain on rural drivers who have little other choice but to travel by car. My proposal will hopefully form the starting point to a wider debate about the needs of rural motorists in the Borders and other parts of Scotland.

“What everyone appears to be in agreement about however is that the burden being felt by motorists in the Borders and other rural areas is disproportionately hitting them harder than motorists in urban parts of the country, simply because of the distances rural drivers need to travel and the lack of viable public transport alternatives.

“It is disappointing to see that Scottish Borders Council’s ruling administration seems hell bent on making matters worse and their ham-fisted approach to setting taxi rates, which has earned them a severe rebuke from the Transport Commissioner, demonstrates they are out of touch with local transport concerns.

“The Commissioner's report and decision is one of the most damning I have ever seen and taxi operators in the Borders had good grounds to feel aggrieved by the autocratic approach of SBC.”

SNP It’s time.....