Diesel cars could be driven off London roads, council warns

A local authority in London is introducing new parking charges to improve air quality and phase out the number of diesel vehicles in the area.

Lambeth Council are set to introduce a new emissions-based charging scheme for parking permits to ‘create a fairer, more equal borough’. This will see people who own the most polluting vehicles charged extra to park across Lambeth in a bid to slash carbon dioxide emissions.

The reasoning behind wanting to introduce these changes are that around a quarter of Lambeth’s annual carbon emissions are from vehicles, even though car ownership levels are lower than in other London boroughs.

The new charging system will increase the number of parking bands from six to 13 and will judge vehicles on their emissions output and car tax band. It will also increase diesel surcharges for all permit types and residents and traders will see parking vouchers become more expensive for diesel vehicles.

Any money that is taken from the new parking permits will be invested into the provision of transport services, highway maintenance and environmental projects.

Jemima Hartshorn, Founder and Director of Mums for Lungs, said: ‘We are delighted to see that Lambeth Council is recognising the huge damage cars, and especially diesel vehicles, are causing.

‘Stunted and inflamed lungs, asthma, heart issues and cardiac issues are some of the illnesses linked to air pollution from transport, and this must be tackled. 

‘Lambeth is taking important steps by disincentivising parking and car ownership and thereby protecting children’s health.’

Alongside this, the council had previously announced that an innovative strategy would be implemented to reclaim public spaces used for parking and transform them into more eco-friendly areas.

Lambeth’s Climate Action Plan, which was launched by the council in March, aims to reduce vehicle journeys by 27% and increase active travel methods massively by the end of the decade. This includes an 85% boost for walking, cycling and public transport use, with the borough aiming to be net zero by 2030.

Image: Andrew Roberts