London suburb to charge drivers parking fees based on emissions

30/01/2007 2:33:00 PM

LONDON (AP) - Residents of a suburban London district will soon pay annual parking fees based on how much carbon dioxide their cars emit, penalizing owners of gas guzzlers.

Richmond council west of the capital agreed on Monday to levy a sliding scale of charges based on emissions, meaning the biggest polluters will pay 300 pounds (almost C$700) a year for the privilege of parking outside their homes.

The charges, which will come into force in May, have sparked debate among environmental groups claiming victory against road pollution and car owners alleging unfair treatment.

"Climate change is the defining issue of our age - it is clear that we must all change our behaviour to combat its effects," said Serge Lourie, leader of Richmond Council. "For our council this is just the first step in a long process that will see us bring forward policies to move our borough and council to lower carbon emissions."

Nine other councils, including that of central London, have expressed an interest in similar plans, Lourie said.

Cars with smaller engine sizes will receive a 50-per-cent discount on the current $230 cost of a parking permit. Cars with larger engines will have to pay higher prices.

Range Rover owner Sarah Adams, 35, who lives in Richmond, said her family shouldn't have to pay extra just because she drives a big car.

"It's really unfair we're being penalized to park them," she said. "I've got two kids and a dog and it's a practical car for us."

Nigel Morris, 39, a salesman, said drivers of big cars deserve to pay more.

"They pollute the streets and I think people use them as unnecessary status symbols," he said.

Other critics of the proposal agreed they were punitive measures that would hit the pockets of families and low-income groups.

Environmental groups supported the move but called for further measures to be taken.
Emily Armistead of Greenpeace said it was a major step toward getting fuel-sapping vehicles off the road.

"We cannot continue to drive gas guzzlers," she said "They are absolutely unsustainable. I completely applaud measures that try to tax them off our roads."