By Claire Warrender

A WRIT was yesterday served on Edinburgh City Council after three neighbouring councils, including Fife, challenged its plans to introduce congestion charges in the capital.

Fife, Midlothian and West Lothian councils had lodged a petition at the Court of Session, branding the proposals “blatantly unfair.”

A full hearing has been set for February 3 and 4, a move welcomed by the three local authorities.

Fife Council environment and development committee chairman Mike Rumney said, “We are pleased that the legal wheels are now officially in motion.

“The hearing in February will allow both sides to make their arguments before a judge, but we do not expect an immediate decision.”

Midlothian Council leader Adam Montgomery said, “The overall scheme is flawed and if Edinburgh is serious about tackling congestion they need to delay the scheme and build a sustainable public transport network which offers real travel alternatives.”

The convener of West Lothian’s enterprise and development committee, Willie Dunn, said he was pleased the Court of Session had given the three councils the chance to challenge Edinburgh’s proposed congestion charging scheme.

“The city council has chosen to ignore clear warnings from its own officials, its own consultants and the public inquiry reporters that proposed exemptions for Edinburgh residents are unfair,” he said.

“We firmly believe this is a road toll and a tax on people living outside Edinburgh which is totally unacceptable.”

If the challenge is successful the court will grant an order quashing the decision to impose a £2 charge on traffic passing through two designated zones.

The three neighbouring councils had asked the court to examine Edinburgh’s decision to go ahead with the congestion charging scheme with an exemption for Edinburgh residents outwith the outer cordon. They claimed this was unfair as motorists living within their boundaries—just as close to the capital—would have to pay.

The petition challenged the plans on six grounds, three relating to the claim that the order failed to produce a scheme which was equitable to everybody. The three councils also questioned how the money raised—estimated at £70 million over 20 years—would be distributed as legislation does not allow funds to be shared with neighbouring authorities.