Monday 6 August 2018

Older, diesel vehicles in London could soon face parking surcharge

Owners of older, polluting diesel vehicles could soon have to pay a parking surcharge in central London.

Westminster City Council has launched a consultation to gather the views of residents, businesses and the wider public as to whether the move to improve air quality should be introduced.

A trial version of the new rule, implemented across Marylebone and Fitzrovia, successfully reduced the number of emissions-intensive vehicles on the road by 16%.

The changes, which could come in later this year or early in 2019, would be expected to cut the amount of older, diesel vehicles in the borough by more than a quarter of a million.

A 50% parking surcharge would mean parking in the West End would cost up to £7.35 for pre-2015 diesel vehicles, rather than the standard hourly price of £4.90.

A total of 284 streets in Westminster will also have a £7.35 parking fee if the initiative is launched.

Councillor Tim Mitchell, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Environment and City Management, said: "Our experience in Marylebone proves that the diesel parking surcharge works to improve air quality, by reducing the number of journeys made by polluting diesel cars.

"We welcome views from everybody as part of this consultation. However, we are absolutely committed to taking steps to improve air quality in Westminster and we hope to get a clear endorsement from local people as to how far they would like us to go with these plans."