Fury at new daily car tax fees that could add | Tech News

Proposals for new daily congestion fees in Edinburgh have been criticised. The new car tax charge is more likely to sit alongside the prevailing Low Emissions Zone (LEZ) and can charge highway customers for getting behind the wheel within the capital. 

Plans for the new highway charging scheme have been accredited by councillors on Edinburgh’s Transport Committee back in May 2025. However, Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for Lothian Region, defined that highway customers face the prospect of “bill going up “hundreds, if not thousands of pounds” due to the changes.

Speaking on a video uploaded to social media site X, he added: “SNP, Green and Labour councillors on Edinburgh City Council have voted to develop a framework for a congestion charge in Edinburgh. That means residents across East, West and Midlothian will pay hundreds if not thousands of pounds to drive into the capital.

“That’s going to make the average cost even more for simple things like going shopping, visiting family in hospital or simply taking the kids to school. As the congestion charge in London has shown, congestion charges don’t work, they simply make life more expensive for people and don’t reduce congestion.”

However, the new charge is expected to see drivers pay around £3.50 per day to take their vehicles into Edinburgh city centre. These charges will slowly add up, with commuters likely to be most affected, paying around £17.50 per week to use the roads for five days. 

Over the course of around 250 working days a year, workers in the city could be told to splash out more than £800 per year. Bills could reach the thousands if motorists living near the capital who intend to use their models over the weekend.

However, other politicians have backed the scheme, with Green Party councillor for Leith, Chas Booth, claiming that the move will mean “discouraging people from using their car”. 

He added: “I’m delighted Edinburgh has agreed to start conversations about congestion charging with other councils. 

“It’s absolutely clear that Edinburgh will not meet its commitments to address the climate emergency unless we take bold action to encourage people to choose more sustainable alternatives to the private car.”