THE reaction to LEZ/ULEZ schemes in Glasgow and London exhibit the same flaws as some recent acts by the Scottish Government, such as the Deposit Return Scheme.
They all seem good ideas, but were not thought through properly. Compliance is not too difficult for large organisations, but for smaller firms and sole traders it means a severe outlay with little chance of recompense.
If you’re a small shopkeeper or are a jobbing tradesman, the financial implications of, for example, having to buy a compliant van are immense, more so when your existing vehicle has a lot of life left in it.
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These schemes, though desirable, should have had a staggered introduction. This way, less stress would be placed on small businesses and independent workers.
Opposition to those schemes relates directly to the inability of small businesses and independent traders to suddenly make major capital investment. In both cases, those at the top, who have grasped basically good ideas, have shown little thought to the implementation of those schemes.
Drew Reid
Falkirk
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