To reduce the use of diesel cars in our city, and so improve air quality, the council is to increase the charges payable by owners of diesel-fuelled vehicles for their parking permits by £40 a year in any band, zone or area.
In addition, the introduction of Sunday parking controls will mean that permit holders in Zones 1 to 4 will also pay almost 10% more due to the increased hours of enforcement.
The council state in their report :
The number of controlled hours between Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 6.30pm, is 70 hours.
The introduction of parking controls on Sundays from 12.30pm to 6.30pm will add six hours to the controlled period.
This is a time increase of around 8.5% which will be included within the new central area permit prices.
The increase in the enforcement costs for Sunday parking controls is expected to be around £150K per annum.
DIESEL CARS AND VANS
According to Department for Transport statistics just over a third of cars and almost all vans licensed in Edinburgh are diesel-fuelled. The council estimates this could mean around 9,000 diesel vehicles in the city which require a parking permit.
Recent research has revealed negative health impacts associated with diesel and the resultant air pollution. Contrary to earlier advice which allowed diesel cars to enjoy cheaper fuel due to the reduced CO2 produced, they are now regarded as bad news for city centre driving and for air pollution.
The council states that ‘diesel engines produce much higher emissions of Nitrous Oxides (NOx) and harmful Particulate Matter (PM). There is growing evidence to suggest that diesel vehicles and are a major contributing factor to poor air quality and its negative impact on public health in Edinburgh.’
This additional £40 per permit will increase the amount earned by the council by £280,000 a year.
All income from parking permits is used to pay the parking attendants who work for the company contracted to give offenders parking tickets, and any surplus is ploughed back into the transport budget.
The council believes that there will be greater incentives to own a more environmentally friendly car if you need to buy a parking permit for it in the city, as permits will be split into seven pricing bands with higher prices for higher emissions.
Visitor permits will also be introduced in Zones 1-8 at the same rate as pay and display parking in each zone.
Apparently the most popular car in Edinburgh according to the council’s records of parking permits issued, is a Ford Fiesta 1 litre. The current price for such a car is £72 per annum.
The Transport and Environment Committee meets next Thursday to discuss matters from car parking to rubbish collections.
The papers are now available to read here on the council website.
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