Car owners in Edinburgh are being asked to air their views on proposed changes to parking permit charges in the city.

Edinburgh Council has launched a public consultation to gauge public reaction to plans to drop the price of residential parking permits for those with less polluting cars.

According to figures shown on council leaflets distributed this week, about 66% of current residential permit holders would pay less for their permits, 14% would see no change, and 20% would pay more.

However under the current proposal households with more than one vehicle would pay more for second permits, and those with the most polluting cars would face increased charges.

There would be no charge for disabled people with Blue Badges, and the council claim that no extra money would be raised – the aim is to encourage residents to buy energy-efficient vehicles.

Environment Leader Robert Aldridge, said: “There is a national acceptance that more needs to be done to influence the vehicle choices that people make. If this is to happen then local authorities need to play their part and take action to bring about local change.

“It is clear to me that, with ongoing CO2 monitoring identifying several key locations in the city where CO2 levels are causing concern, it is our responsibility to take measures designed to make city centre residents consider the impact that their vehicle choice has on our city.”

“While it is right that people should be free to choose the vehicle that best meets their needs, it is also reasonable that they should pay the appropriate costs of owning their vehicle, which should reflect the amount of pollution it creates. There is also increasing demand for a limited number of parking places in the city and encouraging households to consider whether they need a second vehicle along with initiatives such as the City Car Club has environmental benefits as well as helping the relieve the pressure on residents parking.”

However Polwarth resident James McKendrick was against the plans. He said: “There are two cars in my household and we need them both as I work outside the city and my wife takes the kids out to see her relatives a lot.

“I don’t understand how the council expects us to deal with more expensive permits along with all the other rising costs of living just now. We just bought a new car a year ago – it’s not economical to get a new one so soon just to avoid extra parking charges.”

The consultation is running until the 15th of December and members of the public can participate online at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/permitconsultation.

“Smeato”, a cult figure because of his role in the Glasgow terror attacks and his very Scottish utterances in TV interviews, was rushed into intensive care and spent the weekend in a very serious condition.

The 32-year-old former baggage handler is now said to be stable and improving slowly.

His father, Iain, 67, said he is making progress: “We’ve been told John is now making baby steps in the right direction. He’s not out of the woods yet but any news is better than being told your son is dying”.

John’s admittance to hospital came as the trial against Bilal Abdulla, 29, and Mohammed Asha, 28, began at Woolwich Crown Court in London. They are charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and murder.

It’s the second severe asthma attack Smeaton has had in his life. He was 19 when he spent three days unconscious in intensive care with a torn long.

Messages of support have been flooding in the for the man who famously stood up to the terrorists who tried to bomb Glasgow Airport in July last year. Gordon Brown is one of the many people who have inundated the Smeaton family with messages wishing John a speedy recovery.

The support given to John Smeaton indicate the feelings of a nation that took him to their hearts after his actions in the Glasgow Airport terror attacks.

When Glasgow Airport was attacked, he was standing outside on a cigarette break and he quickly got involved. He fought with the men who were trying to blow up their car, and dragged a victim to safety away from the fracas. Michael Kerr said: “I landed next to the burning Jeep and thought it was going to explode. That was when John Smeaton dragged me to safety. He’s a hero”.

It was only after the events, where he was being interviewed for Sky News, that he found fame for his defiant stance against the terror threat. In a highly quotable interview, he came up with such gems as: “This is Glasgow, you know – we’ll set about ye!” and: “You’re no hitting the Polis mate, there’s nae chance”.

The infamous interview led to life changing events for John. He was thanked personally by Gordon Brown for his efforts and even made an appearance at the Labour Party Conference. He received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his actions, has been on speaking tours in America, has a weekly column in the Scottish Sun and even has a website where you can buy him a pint at the Holiday Inn bar at Glasgow Airport.

It does seem, however, that the public are split on their opinions to Smeaton. Iain Mackay, a lecturer from Napier University, believes Smeaton is hyped up: “I feel his status was inflated by the public and media, because he became an acceptable face of Glasgow.” Oliver Hughes, a student from Fife, disagreed, saying: “John Smeaton should be respected for standing up for the common man. Long live the Smeatonater!”

By Debbie Smith

Chocolate lovers all over the country are enjoying a week of gourmet indulgence as National Chocolate Week is celebrated all over the UK.

This year the celebration is concentrating on the best British chocolatiers who produce the highest quality cocoa products.

Coco of Edinburgh is offering a variety of samples to showcase their quality products as well as unveiling their new tobacco infused bar to coincide with National Chocolate week.

Christina Currie, the manager of Coco says: “this week is a great opportunity for the public to learn about real quality chocolate and showcase the small businesses who craft it, chocolate is an art that should be celebrated and appreciated.”

Divine chocolate the leading fair trade brand co owned by cocoa farmers is co-sponsoring the event and describes it as a celebration of unadulterated chocolate indulgence. National chocolate week runs from the 13th to the 19th of October.

By Otis Shaw

Cyclists are making a militant return to the streets in Edinburgh after the initial shock of the tragic death of Edinburgh University neuroscientist, Dr Iain Wilson.  The 35 year-old academic, from Duddingston, was killed in a collision as he turned onto Nicholson street on  the first of May 2008. The death has highlighted the vulnerability of Edinburgh cyclists and created a division between cyclists and motorists.

The loss of Iain Wilson resulted in a lull of cyclists in Edinburgh during the summer months. Now there has been a noted influx of road users who no longer want to wait on public transport or listen to the ramblings of black cab drivers. This welcome return of cyclists in Edinburgh has been met with disapproval from motorists in the city.

Local cab driver, George Melworth, 42, from Portobello, said, “cyclists are now taking over the streets and endangering lives. I witnessed a mother and child weave in and out of rush hour traffic, in the heavy rain. It wont be long before we witness another death.”

Cyclist Shaun Rider, from Morningside, said, “we will no longer bow to bullying motorists, who ignore road safety and use aggressive behaviour to tackle the ever increasing Edinburgh traffic.”

Due to the advanced tram works around the city, Edinburgh’s roads are now a battleground for motorists and cyclists alike. Has road safety taken a back seat as busy lanes are blocked with public transport and commuters spend hours stuck in traffic? As cycle lanes are dug up by the council, some say do Edinburgh cyclists have any other choice, than to wage war on motorists?

The fatal incident was amongst a series of incidents involving cyclists in the Capital. A police spokesman, appealed for calm and consideration amongst commuters travelling in rush hour traffic.