Date:

31/07/2007

Drivers in Camden will be charged for their residents’ parking permits based on how much CO2 their vehicle emits when a new emissions based scheme comes into effect from Wednesday (August 1).

The Council is introducing the policy to get people to think about the effect their journeys have on the environment and to encourage drivers to change their behaviour in favour of more environmentally friendly transport.

Camden Council was one of the first in London and the UK to support emissions based parking permits and is now one of the first to implement the scheme.

The changes mean cheaper residents’ parking permits for low emission vehicles and higher charges for cars that emit more CO2. Drivers of electric vehicles that use renewably sourced electricity to re-charge their vehicle will get a free permit.

In a consultation last year, the majority of Camden residents backed the introduction of emissions based permits1.

Under this new scheme, the Council estimates that around six out of 10 residents could pay less for their parking permit.

Cllr Mike Greene, Executive Member for Environment, Camden Council said:

“We hope this change to our permits scheme will prompt residents to think about the way they get around and the impact this has on our environment. We are taking a proportionate approach to parking permits – the minority whose cars are causing greater damage to the environment will be charged proportionately more for their parking permits, while the majority will be paying less.”

Cllr Keith Moffitt, Leader Camden Council, said:

“This policy is another step forward in tackling very important environmental issues such as climate change and air quality. The effects of climate change are real and every little bit that we as a local authority can do to help drive behaviour change counts as a step in the right direction. We hope this will encourage residents to consider the effects their vehicle has on important environmental issues such as climate change and air quality.”

To find out what your new residents’ parking permit will be, visit www.camden.gov.uk

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For media enquiries, please contact Sheree Lineham, press and PR officer, Camden Council press office on 020 7974 5719.

Notes to editors

1In a local parking policy consultation, just under two thirds - 65 per cent - of respondents supported the principle of charging more for higher emission vehicles. (Source: Parking and Enforcement Plan report on consultation)

The council’s Executive (Environment) Sub Group agreed the policy at its meeting on 23 January 2007.

Camden’s differential parking permit scheme charges will use the DVLA’s car tax classification bands. Cars registered before March 2001 will be charged based on engine size.

Under the new charges, drivers of a Tariff 1 car, such as a Fiat Punto, pay £70 and drivers of a Tariff 4 vehicle such as a Land Rover Freelander pay £145.

An annual permit for an electric vehicle costs £21.25. If the electric vehicle uses renewably sourced electricity to re-charge the permit is free.

The changes are as follows:

The proposed charges would be as follows:

Overall, Tariff 1 vehicle owners will now pay 22 per cent less than they did before, Tariff 2 drivers pay 6 per cent less, Tariff 3 drivers pay 17 per cent more and Tariff 4 drivers pay 61 per cent more.

It is estimated, based on a sample of applications for residents’ parking permits in Camden in 2006, that 56 per cent of vehicles could fall under the new Tariffs 1 and 2.

Previously, a residents’ parking permit cost £90 for a year, £48 for six months, £27 for three months and £12 for one month. An annual permit for an electric car cost £22.50.

The policy is intended to be revenue neutral - the income from residents’ parking permits should be similar to what it was before.

Road traffic contributes some 24% of carbon dioxide emissions - the main cause of climate change in the UK. The GLA estimates that in Camden the road traffic contribution is 29%. CO2 is not the only air quality issue relevant to transport, but it is a significant factor affecting climate change. (Further details are given in the Council’s Air Quality Action Plan.)