Last week, many residents received the unwelcome news that the costs of owning a vehicle in Westminster have increased. This time, the Labour Council has hiked parking charges for 71% of residents with parking permits, even those with electric or hybrid vehicles.
We think councils should encourage sustainable practices, not punish those businesses and residents who have taken the right steps towards a cleaner future.
We believe the pricing changes, especially for residents, should be cost neutral. Instead, Labour will raise an extra £6.24m from this new tax; funds which will no doubt be used to fuel policies that won’t benefit drivers.
We are not opposed to “active travel” but we do believe these changes are part of an anti-car agenda engrained in the Labour administration. The price hike is clearly punishing vehicle-owning residents in a direct way.
It is particularly wrong for residents to be expected to change their vehicles in a short period of time. Buying a car whether new or used is not a cheap purchase. Nor it is one that is done quickly.
We have 5 principal concerns:
- The majority of residents with parking permits will pay more.
- Pay by phone charges will increase by up to 1,825% for electric vehicle owners.
- Tradespeople with electric vehicles may face an additional £35/day in charges.
- These changes harm parents, blue badge holders, the elderly and those on lower incomes more than other people.
- These changes will reduce the number of people switching to an electric vehicle.
The Conservative Group in Westminster have been fighting against these unfair proposals from the start. And despite us pressing for evidence to back up their decisions (i.e. to reduce congestion), Labour brazenly admitted they haven’t got the relevant data to prove this.
If you want to have your say against yet another tax against drivers, tell us what you think by completing the form below.
Then, tell the Council what you think and say NO by emailing your objections to [email protected] and quoting ref: 8056/PJ.
Act now. The deadline for sending your comments and objections is Wednesday, 14 February 2024.