News.Scotland.Org

December, 15

Another addition to the rising price list, this time it’s the cooking gas which is troubling the UK household women in the chilling winter. It seems the New Year will be full of misery for many with the energy companies hinting towards a price rise in the cost of fuel. It is known that 2008 will be gifting an additional financial pressure on the UK people. Amidst all the festivity on the corner, this news may raise a concern for many families.

Earlier the gas companies revealed that, the higher wholesale price of gas has cut the margins for them. They suggested that if the high wholesale prices will remain marching up, then it would make the problem worse for the retailers in the coming year. It was known that British Gas was the first major UK energy company to drop the prices, but the situation have changed now with an increase in the wholesale prices.

It is noticed that this is the second time prices of high use products are rising up, recently we have showed a report which highlighted that the prices of liquor is all set to jump in the next year. And now it’s the gas which is making the UK people concerned before the New Year. So it seems 2008 would be a costly year for UK people!

Scotland, Dec 15: The parking areas in Edinburgh will cost more than usual as the city leaders are considering an increase in the parking charges as an attempt to codify the parking procedures in the city. The city council is planning to increase the hourly parking rate from £1.80 to £2.

Those who breach the parking procedures will have to pay more as the fine amount is categorised as £60 and £80, it will vary as according to the seriousness of the offence. The decision came in the backdrop of the traffic congestion due to the tram disruption. However the officials are giving more priority to the prime city centre areas that are affected by the huge traffic density. In the George Street the parking spaces are lost due to trams and the officials are managing to overcome this by increase in prices.

The City chiefs stressed that the increase in the parking charges is the option but the final verdict is left with the city council. However the motoring groups are accusing the city leaders for considering the motorist as the cash lending machine.

While responding to this the Scottish policy manager for the Institute of Advanced Motorists said: “It is disappointing that they are considering the parking charge hike without even thinking about the improvement in the service and increase in the parking space.

Meanwhile the report says that in order to cater to the demands of the pay and park areas in Edinburgh. The utilisation rate is 100 percent in the city centre. It has been suggested to increase the on-street parking charges across the city with the exception of the extended zones in 2008/09.

“I don’t understand why they are considering this option along with promoting the city centre as the shopping hub. It is obviously an attempt to gain more cash from the drivers,” said Bruce Young, Lothian and Borders co-ordinator of the Association of British Drivers.

A spokesman of the council said: “It is only an option that is under consideration as part of the budget process. It is still in its crude form it has to be refined further to be considered as the firm proposal.”

All the penalties are currently £60 and the £80 option will be used for bad offences, and there would be an option provided to pay half within two weeks.