New parking charges in England for petrol and diesel drivers 'based on emissions'

Petrol and diesel owners have been targeted with higher fees in a major November parking rule change. Emission-based parking means that people with higher polluting vehicles will be asked to pay slightly more to encourage a shift to cleaner, more sustainable travel in the city.

The changes would apply to both season ticket holders and paying customers. Bath and North East Somerset Council are set to launch a new emissions-based parking fee with charges calculated based on pollution rates of vehicles.

Charges would be based on a vehicle’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in line with the DVLA Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) classifications. Where no VED emissions rating is available, typically including all vehicles registered before 2001, the charge would be based on engine capacity.

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Drivers of electric vehicles and those with non-diesel-fuelled internal combustion engines that emit 130g/km or less of CO2 would not see any increase in their parking charges. Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’ve had great feedback from our consultation, and I’d like to thank all those that took the time to share their views with us.

“We’ve listened and made changes to what was originally put forward and will now introduce two hours free parking in Midsomer Norton and Radstock car parks with a reduced tariff for longer stays. Currently, there will be no parking charges for motorbikes.”

Cllr Rigby added: “Air quality in Bath & North East Somerset is improving, we know it’s a concern for people living here and the changes we’re making to parking charges is another step to improve further. While targets and legal levels exist for air pollution, there is no safe limit. We want to reduce congestion, change behaviours and encourage more sustainable ways to travel.”

Paul Morgan CBE, the BMF’s Government Relations Executive, said: “The Council’s decision represents a victory not only for motorcyclists but also for common sense. The proposal by the Council to introduce emission-based parking charges for motorcyclists was illogical, poorly thought out and flew in the face of the Council’s stated aim to “encourage a shift to cleaner, more sustainable travel in the BANES area.” The Council’s proposals also completely failed to recognise the important transitional role motorcycles have to play in the UK’s wider acceleration to Net Zero, as well as the viable solution motorcycles offer to reducing congestion, and associated pollution issues in Bath & North East Somerset’s towns and cities.

We are pleased that the Council has listened to the objections the BMF raised to their proposals and to the voice of local motorcyclists across Bath & North East Somerset.”