Emission-based parking charges backed by council

Plans to charge owners of higher polluting vehicles more for on-street parking and resident permits have taken a step closer in one county town.

Reading Borough Council hopes to encourage drivers of high-emission vehicles to consider alternatives in a bid to improve air quality.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the policy during a committee meeting on Monday.

The report also suggests introducing new pay and display machines in the town, which allow payment by bank card and mobile.

Speaking about the proposal, councillor John Ennis said the council was "driving towards" the target of being net zero by 2030.

Councillors heard the initiative would mean charges for on-street parking and permits would vary depending on a vehicle's emissions.

The report explained a "sliding scale" of parking tariffs would be introduced, based on a vehicle's emissions rating - meaning the less polluting the vehicle, the less someone would pay.

Drivers wishing to park in a pay and display zone would need to enter their vehicle's registration details into the new machine, which would then access DVLA information about the vehicle's emission rating and charge accordingly.

Charges for parking permits would also vary according to a vehicle's emissions.

Councillor Anne Thompson said she would "very much welcome" the plans, adding they were "exciting and forward-looking".

However, councillor Rob White said while he "supported the principle" he had concerns with the initiative, which could launch in April.

He said: "It doesn't give people whose permit is up for renewal, time to buy a new car, that is assuming they have the money."

Councillor White added the proposal seemed like "a fundraiser for the council", rather than a plan to encourage people to help improve air quality.

Councillor Raj Singh said: "There's many other ways to tackle air pollution, not just finding ways to raise more and more money from the residents."

"Successful" schemes similar to the proposal have been introduced by other councils across the country, according to councillor Ennis.

He added: "We believe it is an effective way of helping to reduce the number of high emission vehicles, while improving air quality, benefitting health and helping achieve our ambitions to be a net zero borough."

The proposal has now been recommended to go out for public consultation.

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