Plans for Emission-based Parking Charges to be Discussed
- Motorists with the most polluting vehicles would pay more to park in Reading under proposals being discussed
- Scheme aims to encourage the use of low or no-emissions vehicles, or other alternatives, to help improve air quality and the health of residents
- Councillors will next week consider responses to an informal consultation
A PROPOSED scheme which would see owners of higher polluting vehicles paying more to park in Reading will be considered further next week.
As part of the Council’s ambition to tackle poor air quality and the impact on resident’s health, emission-based parking charges are being considered. The scheme would complement a much wider package of improvements and incentives to encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport in Reading.
If eventually agreed, it is proposed that incremental tariffs of 20% for petrol and 25% for diesel will apply to each parking pricing band, based on a vehicle’s carbon dioxide emissions.
A number of other local authorities around the country have already implemented similar schemes, including several London boroughs and more recently Bath and Northeast Somerset.
In Reading, an informal consultation on the proposed introduction of emission-based charges for on-street parking and parking permits carried out in March attracted 275 responses.
Many respondents raised concerns about emission-based charges being applied to parking permits. At the same time, 64% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that they were concerned about the effects of poor air quality on the health of their children or family.
Importantly, 20 per cent said the scheme would be likely to change their behaviour, which could have a significant impact on air quality in the town.
On 11 June, members of the Council’s Traffic Management Sub Committee will be asked to consider the responses to the public consultation and decide the next steps, including further public engagement in the form of a statutory consultation.
In Reading, the proposed emission-based parking scheme would see additional charges only apply to vehicles which have emission levels of 151g/km (grams per kilometre) or above.
Motorists can check their vehicle’s emissions on the gov.uk website at https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/
Around 10,000 Reading households have residents’ parking permits and 275 people responded to the survey.
John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:
“We know that transport accounts for around 30% of all carbon emissions nationally and this Council is committed to improving air quality for Reading residents.
“We are already investing heavily in public transport and improved walking and cycling facilities in Reading. Emission-based parking charges is another way we can try to reduce air pollution.
“More than 60% of respondents to the informal consultation said they were concerned about the effects of poor air quality on the health of their children or family. I am sure many other residents feel the same. We also acknowledge the concerns that have been expressed.
“It is important to emphasise that the proposed emission-based parking scheme in Reading would only impact owners of more polluting vehicles and lower-emission petrol cars, as well as electric vehicles, will avoid any extra charges.”
If members of the Traffic Management Sub Committee approve the report recommendations (https://democracy.reading.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=170&MId=5723) at their meeting on 11 June, a statutory consultation would then take place. Any objections would be reported back to a future meeting of the committee for consideration, otherwise the scheme would be introduced in October.
A report on proposals for an emission-based charging structure for on-street parking and residents parking permits was first presented to councillors in January 2025.