Lothians MSPs unanimous in condemning airport fee

Published on Friday 30 July 2010 18:42

EVERY MSP in the Lothians opposes Edinburgh airport's controversial passenger drop-off plans, a Scotsman poll reveals today.

The unanimous response comes from the politicians who represent 60 per cent of passengers at the airport and many of its staff. The resounding "No" to the proposed fee from October also covers six political groupings in the Scottish Parliament, reflecting unease with the scheme across a wide spectrum of opinion.

The 16 MSPs — nine constituency and seven on the regional list — include two members who have launched petitions against the charge, which have attracted some 5,000 signatures to date.

The parliamentarians' views are expected to pile further pressure on Kevin Brown, the airport's new managing director, who takes over on Monday.

He joins from a similar post at Aberdeen airport, and replaces Gordon Dewar, who left yesterday to run Bahrain airport in the Middle East. Mr Brown scrapped a proposed 1 taxi charge at Aberdeen airport two years ago, but he has said the issue was "entirely different" from Edinburgh's plans.

Edinburgh airport said its charge was required to pay for upgrading and expanding the terminal drop-off zone, and a free alternative would be provided at the long-stay car park, linked to the terminal by free shuttle buses every few minutes.

The MSPs' responses to the Scotsman poll ranged from disbelief that the charge was being introduced to anger that it was being dressed up by the BAA-owned airport as a green tax.

Some feared the 1 fee would be increased once introduced, while others said the scheme was wrong in principle.

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat Mike Pringle said: "This is a daft idea.

Even senior staff at the airport are against. So my advice is, give it up now."

Fellow Lib Dem Margaret Smith, whose Edinburgh West constituency covers the airport, said: "I have raised my concerns about the proposed charges with management at the airport."

Edinburgh North and Leith Labour Malcolm Chisholm MSP said: "This is not going to improve things for passengers. It's just a way of making money."

Edinburgh Pentlands Conservative MSP David McLetchie also confirmed he was against the drop-off fee.

Outside the capital, opposition was equally vehement. Linlithgow Labour MSP Mary Mulligan said: "I am very supportive of people being encouraged to use alternative transport to the car. However, this is not the way to do it."

Fellow Labour member Rhona Brankin, who represents Midlothian, said: "I am all in favour of airport users being encouraged to use public transport, but this charge seems to be an imposition for people who are being dropped off in less than a minute."

Livingston SNP MSP Angela Constance said: "I do not support the introduction of a 1 drop-off charge. What next — a charge for the air that we breathe?"

The views were similar among the region's list MSPs.Labour's George Foulkes said: "Where will it all end? It starts at a pound and then it could escalate."

The SNP's Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "This is a simple money-making exercise by BAA. There is no reasonable justification for the charge."

Fellow Nationalist MSP Ian McKee said: "This proposal is clearly unacceptable."

A Green Party spokesman, commenting on behalf of MSP Robin Harper, who is on holiday, said: "As it stands, this charge is simply one more way to screw money out of travellers."

Conservative Gavin Brown, who launched the first petition against the move, said: "Charging money for a simple drop-off is wrong in principle, as for many people in the Lothians there is not a public transport alternative. On top of this, the airport management failed to consult with passengers prior to reaching their decision."

The SNP said Edinburgh East and Musselburgh MSP Kenny MacAskill, the justice secretary, and list MSP Fiona Hyslop, the culture minister, were both covered by the Scottish Government's stance that "the proposal is not supported by ministers".

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said the charge would provide vital income for its future development.

He said: "We are not surprised these MSPs have spoken out against the optional charge.

However, businesses sometimes have to take tough decisions."

Politicians speak their minds

ALISTAIR DALTON

Members of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the Lothians are united in their opposition to the introduction in October of a 1 passenger drop-off charge at Edinburgh Airport.

Margo MacDonald, Independent, Edinburgh and Lothians list MSP

"Words fail me."

Margaret Smith, Lib Dem, Edinburgh West

"The 1 charge is unnecessary and will disadvantage those with a disability and older people.

"I will continue to fight against this unfair charge."

Sarah Boyack, Labour, Edinburgh Central

"I think the airport's priority should be improving public transport access rather than making it harder for people.

"The airport bus service is excellent for people travelling directly from the city centre, but many travellers using the airport don't have decent public transport access."

Mary Mulligan, Labour, Linlithgow

"My constituents had the option of using the train removed when the SNP government cancelled the Edinburgh airport rail link.

"So now they can either travel by taxi, which is expensive, or have a family member or friend drop them off. Why should they be penalised for doing a good deed?

"This is a silly idea not worthy of an airport trying to establish an international reputation."

Gavin Brown, Conservative, Edinburgh and Lothians list MSP

"I urge people to let their voice be heard by signing the petition."