Diesel drivers should pay MORE to park across the UK, parking boss demands
DIESEL drivers should have to pay more to park across the UK, an industry boss has demanded.
Cities should introduce “emissions-based parking” charges to penalise drivers with most polluting cars, parking app RingGo’s MD says.
Peter O’Driscoll made the call as 5million Londoners are about to be drawn into Sadiq Khan‘s controversial ULEZ extension.
The London mayor’s ultra-low emission zone which charges motorists £12.50 a time for cars deemed too environmentally-unfriendly will cover all 32 of the capital’s borough from tomorrow onwards.
Critics say it will unfairly punish poorer families unable to afford more modern cars which meet stricter emissions standards.
Tradesmen needing vans to carry their supplies also face heftier costs which many fear could be passed on to customers.
Transport secretary Mark Harper has condemned Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer for failing to intervene and force Mr Khan into a U-turn.
Mr O’Driscoll, whose app RingGo is now the default payment option in many car parks across the UK, now suggested a ULEZ alternative.
He insisted his firm had the technology identify every car by number plate and determine which are worse for the environment.
He described ULEZ as “an increasingly divisive policy, with those on both sides having some valid points”.
But he said the policy “isn’t the only option” and “may not be the best one available”.
He insisted: “The UK must improve air quality targets and reduce carbon emissions to deliver cleaner, healthier and more liveable cities for residents.”
And he suggested higher parking charges for polluting vehicles would be “simple and cheap to enforce”.
This approach “encourages, rather than forces, electric vehicle adoption”, Mr O’Driscoll said.
He added: “We must explore and combine every avenue to make our cities cleaner, healthier and more liveable.”
Some councils in the capital have already introduced higher parking charges for more polluting cars, including Greenwich last month – with similar action planned in Hackney.
Mr Khan’s ULEZ was originally confined to central London when first put in place from April 2019.
It was then expanded to everywhere within the North Circular and South Circular roads in October 2021, covering 3.8million people.
But now extra 5million people will be living in ULEZ areas with its city-wide extension from tomorrow.
The £12.50 fees are most likely to be charged for pre-2015 diesels and pre-2006 petrol cars.
Critics held a demonstration outside Mr Khan’s home in south London yesterday, parking a caravan bearing anti-ULEZ slogans.
People living just outside the new borders says they’re being offered £100 per month by desperate motorists to park on their driveways.
Self-employed workers were today told they would be able to claim back the £12.50 charge on their tax returns.
Mr Khan has also pledged grants of up to £2,000 to anyone getting ride of their vehicles which fail to meet ULEZ emission standards.
But anyone applying for the money could have to spend more on repairs first because only roadworthy vehicles are eligible.
They will also need to have valid MOT and road tax, as well as proof you’ve owned the vehicle for at least the past 12 months and it’s been registered at your home address.
One fuming driver revealed she was told her new car was compliant emissions rules and wouldn’t be charged – only to receive a £90 fine.
And motorists have already been suffering frustration today when trying to check whether they will have to pay the extra fees.
A Transport for London website which invites you to type in your registration number to find out has been hit by glitches.
Meanwhile, drivers were provided with an interactive map advising on how to dodge the scheme which expands from midnight tonight.
Last year it was revealed people were charged almost £100million in payments for driving in ULEZ areas across less than 12 months.