Clyde Tunnel Toll, Glasgow Congestion Charge Under Consideration

Glasgow sets its budget for 2025/2026 this Thursday. They plan to raise council tax to fund city investments. Some drivers might have their plates scanned. This aims to charge non-Glasgow residents.

Ricky Bell stressed finding new income sources. He wants to stop the budget from shrinking more. Glasgow must fund the Clyde Tunnel, Bell said. It’s a national road, oddly.

They’re thinking about a tunnel toll. Only people outside Glasgow would pay it. Software could read plates to check addresses. Suburban drivers might pay, since they’re wealthier.

The SNP wants the tunnel funded like a trunk road. They say current funding leaves a big shortfall. It’s about £820,000 per year, due to tunnel upkeep.

Bell says they seek legal permission for the toll. They are pushing the government on this idea. The city also considers a congestion charge now. This needs rule changes by the government first.

A congestion charge proposal needs development. Then they can show the government how it’d work. Ruairi Kelly wants tunnel funding like other main roads. Otherwise, a toll might happen, he said.

A congestion charge could make vehicles pay a fee. This fee would happen to enter an area at specific times. It’s not known what the toll or charge will cost.