Gas guzzlers' permit charge should benefit neighbourhoods
24 January 2007
Keep them for the desert! Greens propose that city neighbourhoods benefit from parking charges for fuel inefficient 4x4 vehicles.
After campaigning by Green councillors, Brighton and Hove City Council has proposed that 'gas guzzler' 4x4s and other fuel inefficient vehicles in the city should have higher charges for parking permits.
Greens say the extra revenue should be spent on environmental improvements in the neighbourhoods where the charges are levied.
"We welcome the Labour-led council's recent conversion to the view that gas-guzzlers should pay more for residents’ parking permits," said Green Party Convenor Cllr Keith Taylor.
"In 2005 the Greens first persuaded the council to link parking charges to low emission vehicles, now it’s time for further action.
"Taxes and charges should be used to influence behaviour and tackle climate change, but residents should also get something in return for their money. Greens would plough back some of the money raised to the communities where it is collected.
"We have included higher charges for gas guzzlers in our 2007/2008 city budget proposals as well an increase of £10 in the basic permit charge, which would bring it up to £90 a year, with a sliding scale of discounts and surcharges.
"Residents' permits have remained at £80 for ten years, but even with a £10 hike in the basic price, discounts would mean that nearly half the permit holders would pay only £1 extra, by virtue of having lower emission vehicles.
"Council finance officers have examined our proposals as part of the annual budget process and estimate it would raise an extra £500,000 a year.
"Of that we would return £250,000 to the neighbourhoods impacted by resident’s parking zones for environmental improvements. Local people would be asked how they would like the money spent."
The rest of money would be used to:
· Set up and service Area Assemblies that would be asked to draw up community plans and identify spending priorities as a first step towards wider community budgeting.
· Carry out a fundamental residents’ parking review for the city and speed up controlled parking zone implementation wherever residents want them
‘It’s no surprise the Conservatives are opposed to the idea of higher charges for gas guzzlers,’ added Cllr Taylor. ‘Their green commitments are skin deep and their policies will do nothing to slow down the climate change that threatens us all.’
“Under our scheme any residents changing their car to the lowest emission vehicle will get 100% discount on their parking permit, with 50% and 10% for Band B and C cars respectively. That way, if people absolutely need a car, they can help save the planet, and their pocket.”
Notes to editors:
For further information please call Geoffrey Bowden Green Party Press Officer on 07958 682 683.[ENDS]
