The new proposals aim to ensure that drivers of vehicles that produce toxic carbon dioxide emissions will pay more to park across Lambeth – helping to tackle climate change and make our streets safer and more pleasant for all.
A quarter of carbon emissions in Lambeth come from road transport, and big changes are needed to reduce this over the next seven years. A big shift from driving to walking, cycling and public transport is central to this, with major efforts underway to support local people make these changes.
As part of these efforts a consultation later in January will seek comment on proposals to add the emission-based pricing structure adopted by the council in April to further parking permits, including doctors, teachers, business-all zones, business-single zones and motorcycles.
The proposals also include extending the borough’s diesel surcharge to all diesel vehicles to help clean the air and a new surcharge for households with more than one parking permit to encourage car-sharing.
Any extra revenue generated would be invested in helping fund public transport services, highway maintenance like repairing potholes and environmental projects. It could be used to help maintain the Freedom Pass, promote low-cost active travel schemes including Try Before You Bike, cargo bike hire and child seats on bikes.
Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, Lambeth Council deputy leader and Cabinet Member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said: “We were the first London borough to declare a climate emergency, and we have set a target to slash our carbon emissions to make Lambeth a Net Zero Borough by 2030.
“These updates to our emissions-based pricing structure along with our range of forward-thinking measures aim to ensure Lambeth can continue to tackle toxic air and make our shared spaces fairer and more accessible. These changes look to make our parking fees fairer and more reflective of the different levels of pollution produced by vehicles – and ensure those who pollute the most are charged the most to park.”
The council is separately set to introduce increases to residents parking permits, healthcare permits, car club permits, personal carer permits, visitors and traders vouchers, on-street and car park charges.
Despite lower car ownership levels compared to other London boroughs disadvantaged groups in Lambeth are even less likely to own a car, but more likely to be affected by the effects of car use such as poor air quality, climate change and road danger.
Details of the proposals and the changes support the council’s Kerbside Strategy that will reclaim public space currently taken up by parking, and use it to introduce climate resilient infrastructure including more trees and parklets.
