Edinburgh drivers of low emission vehicles could soon see the cost of their residents' parking permits fall under a proposed new "polluter pays" charging structure being considered by the City of Edinburgh Council. Under the new system, which would be the first to be introduced by a local authority in Scotland, drivers of the most polluting cars will see their parking permits double.
The changes mean permits for "gas guzzlers" in the city centre would rise from £160 to £320, while permits for the lowest emissions vehicles would fall to £30 in the city centre and £15 in other zones. Two thirds of permit holders would pay less for their permits under the new system compared to current rates of £160 for a city centre parking permit and £80 for permits outside the centre.
The new banding system, which is expected to cost £50,000 to implement and would probably start in about two years, will be considered by the Council's Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee next Tuesday.
As well as the environmental pressures vehicles are putting on the city, the Council has been considering action to address the increased demand for permits which is outstripping the limited number of parking spaces available. The report also recommends that a 25% surcharge be placed on the second permit holder in each household.
"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," said Environment Leader Robert Aldridge.
"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."