Proposals to introduce road tolls in Edinburgh have the support of a majority of those living in the Scottish capital, according to a study.

Edinburgh City Council has carried out a consultation exercise over plans to charge drivers �2 for entering the city centre.

People living across south east Scotland have been asked for their views.

Anyone who read the consultation document... would have seen it was skewed in favour of the council's own arguments

David McLetchie Tory leader

The results were not due to be released until Monday of next week.

However, the local authority has released the figures for those living within Edinburgh after BBC Scotland reported on the early indications from the survey.

This showed that 51% of the 12,000 capital residents who replied supported a charge for entering the city centre, while 38% were opposed and the rest were undecided.

However, there was less enthusiasm for paying at an outer cordon based on the city bypass.

This idea was opposed by 45% of respondents and backed by 44%.

Approval needed

Three quarters of those who replied agreed that congestion had to be tackled and said they wanted an improvement in public transport.

The council has until the end of next month to decide which option to take forward and seek Scottish Executive approval.

Transport spokesman Councillor Andrew Burns said it was clear that doing nothing was not an option.

Road tolls are among a series of options

However, he acknowledged that people were divided on the question of how to pay for improvements, and said this must be taken into account.

The consultation was described as "a sham" by Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie.

Last month his party published the results of a poll it carried out by distributing leaflets to those living in areas represented by the Conservatives.

He said the replies of 3,500 people showed that most people were opposed to the introduction of tolls.

"Anyone who read the consultation document, if they managed to get hold of one, would have seen it was skewed in favour of the council's own arguments," he said.

"We have collected 3,500 names and addresses of people in Edinburgh against the tolls entirely.

I think the public are beginning to move ahead of the politicians in some ways

Professor David Begg

"When they are added to the weight of evidence from the council a clearer picture will emerge of what people really think about these ludicrous proposals."

However, the chairman of the Commission for Integrated Transport, Professor David Begg, said he was "encouraged" by the results of the council's consultation.

He also called for the Scottish Executive to show greater "national leadership" and give its backing to the proposals.

He said the public's views showed "a level of understanding and maturity" from the people of Edinburgh.

"No-one likes to pay charges but over the years the public have come to accept that there needs to be a level of traffic constraint otherwise there will be horrendous growth and congestion.

"I think the public are beginning to move ahead of the politicians in some ways."