Agenda item

[Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods]

This report proposes changes to a range of parking charges including a surcharge on Diesel fuelled vehicles.

 The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods introduced the report which sought a review of parking charges and the amendments proposed in this report are seeking to give effect to the aims and objectives set out in the Transport Strategy and the AQAP, both of which are central to London Mayor’s objectives in improving air quality in Haringey.

Cabinet noted that the ULEZ is part of a package of measures that the Mayor was putting in place to tackle the public health crisis created by London’s air pollution.

The proposed changes to parking charges contained within the report were also intended to encourage people to prepare in time for the upcoming extension to the ULEZ. The charges have been set at a level to encourage people to make careful decisions when considering a new vehicle and how they contribute to local air quality in Haringey. 

It was further noted that when setting and reviewing fees and charges for parking services, the Council would always seek to set a pricing level that balances the needs of businesses and the local economy, with the need to push for that step change away from unnecessary car use to more sustainable modes of travel.

Responding to questions from Cllr Ogiehor, the following information was noted:

• The Permit charge increases were being raised proportionately, with the least polluting vehicles raised up to the medium polluting level with an increase of £10  and the medium most polluting vehicles raised up to the top level range, meaning an increase £20. The policy provided the Council’s clear intention of charging drivers more if they drove more polluting vehicles.
• All polluting vehicles were discouraged and the report supported putting forward charges in line with legislation and the ULEZ scheme.

RESOLVED

1. To authorise officers to proceed to carry out formal consultation on amending relevant Traffic Management Orders to introduce the charges and surcharges as set out in Appendix 1 of this report and the following changes to parking terms and conditions:
   1. A surcharge on diesel fuelled vehicles
   2. A surcharge on second and subsequent permits per household
   3. Introduce a 25% surcharge on diesel fuelled our on-street pay to park` areas and off-street car parks, as set out in paragraph 6.6.
   4. Implement proposed changes to Visitor Vouchers arrangements as set out in paragraph 6.11.
   5. Provide a free residential parking permit for Disabled Blue Badge Holders to park within their local CPZ for a vehicle registered to them as set out in paragraph 6.13.
   6. Introduce a £20 administration fee on parking permit refunds except for visitor vouchers which shall be non-refundable, as set out in paragraph 6.14.

2. To receive a further report to decide whether to amend the relevant Traffic Management Orders as proposed under recommendation (i) after consideration of the responses to the statutory consultation.

Reasons for decisions

The Council has committed to acting decisively to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions, which is widely accepted as a contributor to climate change. Those decisions include using parking policies as a tool to affect change. Proposals in this report set out the measures necessary to influence transport choices and encourage a move to more sustainable modes of transport. The ULEZ is planned to be extended from 25 October 2021 to include the inner London area within the North and South Circular Roads which includes Haringey.

In line with Local and National Climate Change policies, the Council linked parking permit charges to CO₂ emissions in 2008. By raising awareness of the environmental impact of CO₂ emissions, people were encouraged to use lower, more sustainable forms of transport to help reduce the associated Greenhouse gas effect. Diesel was initially considered more environmentally friendly than petrol, as diesel fuelled vehicles are more efficient and as such produce less CO₂ per mile. Whilst internal combustion engines have become cleaner in recent years; it was subsequently found that diesel vehicles produce high emissions of Nitrous Oxides (NOx) and harmful Particulate Matter (PM). There is growing evidence to suggest that emissions from diesel engines have the following negative effects;          

• contribute to poor air quality
• increase the risk of lung cancer
• can cause heart attacks and
• reduce life expectancy.

At present 7800 parking permits are issued to diesel fuelled vehicles annually in Haringey. In addition, 44% of vehicles using the on-street and car park facilities are diesel fuelled vehicles. These measures are therefore recommended to discourage the use of diesel fuelled vehicles, reducing harmful emissions whilst continuing to deliver our carbon reduction pledges.

Alternative options considered

The Council commissioned a feasibility study into the possible development of an integrated emissions charging tool that would take account of both CO2 and NOx. Following extensive investigations this did not prove viable.

The other option considered was to continue with current charging policies and rely on National and Regional levers to influence car ownership and use. Those measures include the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to Haringey in 2021. However, Haringey’s ambitions in terms of improving air quality require decisive local measures to be implemented.

Consideration was also given to exempting Euro 6 diesel compliant vehicles from the proposed diesel surcharge, and in doing so align the surcharge with the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) criteria. However, several cities are taking steps to ban all diesel fuelled vehicles from city centres, and our policies support the view that the use of all diesel fuelled vehicles should be discouraged.