Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 3, 2024

Purpose: Newham’s air quality has long been amongst the poorest in London, with tragic consequences in our borough – Public Health England estimate that one in thirteen deaths (7.5%) in Newham are attributable in part to particulate air pollution.   In order to tackle the scourge of poor air quality, Newham's Air Quality Action Plan 2019-24 sets out a range of objectives, including use parking policy to reduce pollution emissions.   As well as improving air quality, Newham Council is committed to playing its part in tackling the climate emergency. Transport is now the UK’s biggest source of emissions, and - while Newham Council has since 2021 introduced the principle of emissions-based charges for parking across all its products - the difference in the charges levied on electric vehicles and the most polluting vehicles in some areas is insufficient to properly incentivise drivers of higher polluting vehicles to make greener choices.   This report puts forward a package of proposals that seek to build on the work of this administration over the last few years, and ensure that drivers of electric and low emission vehicles are rewarded for their choices through significantly lower charges, while making sure that those who choose to drive high polluting or diesel vehicles, which have a significant impact on the health of our residents, are properly incentivised to make the move to greener options. 

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:   i)  The introduction of a diesel surcharge for short stay parking sessions of £1 per hour for diesel vehicles, to incentivise visitors to opt for less polluting forms of transport.   ii)  The introduction of a £50 a year diesel surcharge for resident permits, to incentivise owners of diesel vehicles to switch to less polluting vehicles.   iii)  The introduction of a £100 a year diesel surcharge for business, industrial and charity permits, to incentivise owners of diesel vehicles to switch to less polluting vehicles.   iv)  The restructuring of emissions – based parking charges for short stay parking and visitor permits, as laid out in 3.52 and 3.75, in order to strengthen incentives for drivers to opt for lower emitting vehicles, by reducing charges for electric vehicles, while rising prices for high[1]polluting vehicles.   v)  The rationalisation of visitor permits sold in Newham; by replacing the current 6, 12 and 24 hour permits with a 2 hour and one-day visitor permit.   vi)  The introduction of a new ‘oversized vehicle’ category for all permits, which would support economic growth by helping local businesses operating medium and larger light goods vehicles obtain parking permits to operate their vehicles legally. ‘Oversized vehicles’ would attract the following surcharges in their permit price in recognition of the additional road space they take up: · Vehicles between 2.301-3m high, and/or 5.301-6m long, and up to 3.5 tonnes in weight: 50% surcharge · Vehicles between 3.01-3.5m high, and/or 6.01-7.5m long, and up to 3.5 tonnes in weight: 100% surcharges.   vii)  That the Corporate Director for Environment and Sustainable Transport, in consultation with the lead member for Parking, be delegated the authority to approve minor changes to the proposals laid out in this report (up to 25% variance), following the statutory consultation, and to implement those changes as required.   Alternatives Considered   a)  Do nothing: this was considered, but rejected, as the differences in pricing between the highest and lowest charging bands for Newham’s parking permits and short stay parking are insufficient to incentivise drivers to opt for the greenest vehicle that they can, and undermines the council’s commitment to improving air quality and reduce CO2 emissions in the borough.