Free Economics Dissertations - An Investigation Into The Possible Effects Of A Congestion Charge Within
An investigation into the possible effects of a Congestion Charge within Glasgow City Centre with particular regard to the property markets.
Abstract
Urban growth over centuries has been built on the premise that transportation costs for goods, for people and for ideas can be minimized. A corollary of this has traditionally been a public transport system which has transported the working population to the Central Business District, the heart of a City. A lack of investment in public services combined with increased car affordability has, however, resulted in a boom in car ownership. The growth in car ownership has had a dramatic impact on urban centres worldwide. In Scotland, specifically Glasgow and Edinburgh, measures are considered necessary to control the increasing numbers of cars on the road. The main consequence of this trend has been congestion and declining air quality.
The logical conclusion from the fact that a transport network was established prior to the establishment of the automobile as the primary mode of transport is that the infrastructure is somewhat limited. Where both the transport infrastructure is lacking and causing environmental hazards, action is usually considered a necessity. At a global scale, sustainable development is receiving much deserved attention, particularly with regards the state of the environment. The unsustainable rate of natural resource exploitation has led to a growing appreciation of the need to change current approaches. In response to increasing concerns about climate change, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was agreed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Under the Convention, all developed countries agreed to an aim to return their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2000. The UK is one of a small number of OECD countries who have met this target.
In moving towards a more sustainable, lower carbon economy, the value of an integrated transport network with fewer car journeys is deemed extremely high. A study conducted in 2000 by DEFRA, for Glasgow City Council, showed that an enormous 90% of Nitrogen Dioxide emissions for that year alone came from road traffic. The need to reduce traffic on Glasgow’s roads is therefore deemed a priority in order to meet international environmental legislation and create a more sustainable society.
The question thus presenting itself is how can Glasgow achieve a sustainable, lower carbon economy i.e. ease the congestion problem and improve air quality without affecting the local economy? The pollution levels from vehicles in Glasgow are so high that in certain areas the air quality is severely affecting the health of the people exposed. Consequently, there is a real need for implementation of a policy measure aimed at reducing congestion within the city centre.
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