Increased parking charges for residents now looming

Bad news for local motorists -- Westminster City Council are still on track with their proposals to increase charges for residents' parking permits (along with the charge for pay-to-park casual kerbside parking). They say the aim is four-fold: to reduce air pollution in Westminster as part of its ambition to meet its net zero emissions target by 2040; to introduce a fairer & more proportionate system whereby vehicles are charged in accordance with the level of emissions they produce; to accommodate the growing number of electric vehicles & the different range of hybrid vehicles; & to bring Westminster into line with many neighbouring boroughs who have already implemented emissions-based charging.

The plans immediately provoked a backlash, with one resident claiming this was yet another tax on the poor motorist who was being used by the Council as a "convenient cash-cow" to subsidise its own inefficiencies.

Public consultation on the proposals ended on 14th February & subject to its findings the new residents' permits will be introduced on the revised date of 3rd June (with pay-to-park charges going up on 8th April).