New emission-based parking charges are set to be introduced across the South West of England this month, potentially impacting thousands of petrol and diesel drivers.
The move, launched by Bath and North East Somerset Council, will impact all council-owned car parks in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, and Saltford as well as all on-street parking locations in Bath.
The changes will be phased into council-owned car parks in Bath, Keynsham and Saltford throughout November while new parking charges will be introduced in January 2025.
All emission-based charge tariffs are yet to be announced but the council noted that once the changes have been implemented a one-hour stay in a council-owned Bath car park will cost between £1.80 and £2.60, depending on vehicle emissions.
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Parking charges were backed by support from residents in the area
GETTYCouncillor Manda Rigby 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 of free parking in Midsomer Norton and Radstock car parks with a reduced tariff for longer stays.”
Under the new proposal, there will be no parking charges for motorbikes due to public feedback and technical challenges in providing them with a lower parking charge.
The council said it would be making the charges after a consultation found that 77 per cent of respondents expressed concerns about air quality and its impact on health, while 58 per cent felt it important to improve air quality.
Emission-based parking charges will see motorists with more polluting vehicles charged a higher rate for parking in the region.
Rigby added: “Air quality in Bath and 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.”
As part of the changes signage will be updated to reflect the new charging structure with the council advising customers to check this signage when paying for their stays.
The new parking structure aims to improve air quality through a major shift to sustainable transport, walking and cycling and incentives to reduce the use of more polluting vehicles.
Emission-based charging across the impacted area would be based on a vehicle’s carbon dioxide emissions and fall in line with the DVLA Vehicle Excise Duty classifications.
“Where no CO2 emissions rating is available, typically including all vehicles registered before 2001, the charge would be based on engine capacity,” the Council detailed.
Drivers of electric vehicles which emit 130g/km or less of CO2 will pay a baseline charge, but more polluting vehicles will be charged more depending on the emissions of their vehicle.
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GETTYUnder the scheme, however, emission-based charges that apply for more polluting vehicles would increase by 2.5 per cent for each more polluting band or five per cent for each engine capacity band.
