Emission-based parking charges coming in February

Owners of higher polluting vehicles will pay more for on-street parking in Reading from Monday 2 February.

The new emission-based charges will apply to pay-and-display on-street parking and residents’ permits.

The scheme is part of the Council’s aim to improve air quality and health in the town and reduce carbon emissions by encouraging the use of public transport, low emission vehicles and cycling and walking.

A sliding scale of parking charges will apply depending on the vehicle’s CO2 emissions, with a tariff of 20% for petrol and 25% for diesel vehicles. However, the tariffs will only apply to vehicles which have emission levels of 151g/km (grams per kilometre) or above which means many petrol vehicles will escape any extra charge.

It is anticipated that around 50% of cars will fall into the lowest price category and see no increase, while a further 25% will fall into the first band, resulting in a small increase.

Motorists using on-street pay-and-display parking bays will be asked to enter their vehicle registration number and will be charged based on their vehicle’s emissions data held by the DVLA for road tax purposes.

New applications for resident parking permits, and other types of parking permits, will be assessed using the emission-based charging structure from 2 February. Renewal of parking permits after 2 February will also be subject to the new tariffs.

Full details of the emission-based parking charges have been added to the Council’s Parking web pages at: https://www.reading.gov.uk/vehicles-roads-and-transport/parking/emissions-based-charging/.

Similar schemes have been implemented by other local authorities around the country, including Westminster, Lewisham and Bath and Northeast Somerset, resulting in positive impacts on air quality.

In Reading, emission-based charging will complement a range of other initiatives to reduce air pollution, including investment in improving local bus services, promoting active travel and a major programme of installing more on-street electric vehicle charging points in the coming months.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“Good air quality is a high priority for the Council and although we are seeing an improved situation in Reading there are still areas where pollution levels are too high. That impacts on the health and wellbeing of residents, particularly children, older people and those with heart and lung conditions.

“We know that transport accounts for around 30% of carbon emissions nationally and the introduction of emission-based parking charges is one way the Council is working to reduce its impact.

“The Council has invested heavily in improving local bus services and encouraging cycling and walking. A major programme rolling out public electric vehicle charging points will also get under way later this year.  

“Around 50% of vehicles are expected to avoid any extra charges under the new emission-based charging scheme and another 25% are likely to face the lowest tariff, so only those with the most polluting vehicles will be asked to pay more for on-street parking in Reading.

“I hope the scheme encourages people to think about their transport choices and consider all travel options that are available to them.”