By-election candidate slammed for backing charge calls to drive into Glasgow City Centre

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Labour by-election candidate for Rutherglen and Hamilton West has slammed his SNP counterpart for backing calls for residents in the area to pay to commute into Glasgow City Centre.The SNP’s by-election candidate Katy Loudon has backed calls proposed by SNP Glasgow City Councillors for those driving into the City Centre to face daily charges of up to £15.Labour candidate Michael Shanks branded the move “a tax on working people” and said the move was “unthinkable” in a cost of living crisis.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Speaking at the relaunch of the SNP’s campaign in Rutherglen & Hamilton West, Ms Loudon said that she would encourage everyone not to drive into the City Centre.“It’s absolutely essential that we encourage people to be taking forms of active travel and looking at different ways of getting into the city centre,” she told The Sunday Times.Scottish Labour candidate Michael Shanks said: “During a cost-of-living crisis the SNP seem intent on heaping misery on the people of Rutherglen & Hamilton West with council tax rises, income tax rises and now a congestion charge for people who want to travel to Glasgow.“It is clear that action needs to be taken to ensure clean air in our towns and cities but it needs investment in reliable, regular and affordable public transport - which is