ULEZ-like rules for Bath car parks: Council introduces variable parking charges based on a vehicle’s emissions

Bath is expected to introduce variable parking charges based on vehicle emissions from Friday.

The ULEZ-like rules will see owners of all diesel cars and some high-emission petrol models charging higher fees for using city-centre municipal parking spaces.

That means prices for owners of the most polluting diesel vehicles will rise from £1.70 an hour to £2.50 this week – an increase of 47 per cent.

Bath and North East Somerset City Council (BANES) says asking people with more polluting vehicles to pay “a little more” will encourage a “shift towards cleaner, more sustainable travel in the city”.

The historic city of Bath is set to introduce ULEZ-style rules for city-operated car parks on Friday, requiring drivers to pay a charge based on their vehicle’s CO2 emissions. For owners of all diesel models, the costs will increase

It added: “The aim is to reduce the number of more polluting vehicles entering Bath, where air pollution is a problem, particularly for people with chronic heart and lung conditions.”

Nevertheless, it is now assumed that 66 percent of current car park customers will incur additional charges from tomorrow.

The city already has a similar system for residential parking permits.

In Bath there will only be no price increase for drivers of petrol and models with emissions below 131g/km CO2. This also applies to all electric cars. However, this means that all diesel vehicles and more polluting petrol engines will have to pay a higher rate from Friday

These are the new proposed parking fees for petrol, hybrid and electric models from September 8th

Different fees apply for drivers of diesel vehicles – and from Friday 8 September parking fees will increase at the eight locations

Parking fees depend on the emissions of the vehicle and the type of fuel, with a higher price to be expected for all diesel vehicles.

Parking fees are calculated using the tariffs applicable to the vehicle transmission tax – better known as vehicle tax.

Lambeth Council in London also introduced short-term parking charges based on the VED bands earlier this year, which include additional penalties for older diesel vehicles.

In Bath there will only be no price increase for drivers of petrol and models with emissions below 131g/km CO2. This also applies to all electric cars.

However, this means that all diesel vehicles and more polluting petrol engines will have to pay a higher rate from Friday.

For example, the cost of parking a petrol car with CO2 emissions of 131-150g/km for an hour increases from £1.70 to £1.80.

However, there is a 50p (£2.30) surcharge for a diesel model that falls in the same emissions bracket.

Motorists must check their vehicle’s emissions on the government’s website to find out whether they have to pay or not.

However, the individual fees are calculated automatically at pay stations when drivers enter their license plate number.

Shockingly, all foreign-registered vehicles that cannot be matched against DVLA records will be charged the highest price for the chosen duration – a move criticized by some for its potential negative impact on tourism in the historic city.

One of the eight car parks that will introduce the new emission-based parking fees is Avon Street, which will have a total of 140 spaces

The Charlotte Street car park is one of the largest to introduce the new emission-based variable parking rates. It has 1,056 parking spaces, including 24 disabled spaces

The Cattle Market car park in the city center is also affected. There are only 40 pitches in total

Ahead of the introduction of the new variable rates, the City Council said it would be replacing signage in its car parks to reflect the new fee structure and is advising customers to check this signage when paying for their stay.

The new fees “aim to give drivers with more polluting vehicles an incentive to use more sustainable alternatives such as park and ride services when visiting the city center” and to encourage a shift to public transport and walking, cycling and cycling.

Cllr Manda Rigby said: “Prices will not change for many motorists. These new fees will only affect those who bring more polluting vehicles into our city.”

“This approach is being adopted across the country, but we are the only council that is still committed to offering cash payments to its customers.” We think it’s very important to protect this.

“Our overarching goal is to improve public safety by improving air quality and reducing congestion.”

In a recent public consultation conducted by the local authority, more than half of the 1,692 responses raised air quality concerns and said the council should do more to tackle air pollution.

Paul Barker, senior editor at online vehicle marketplace carwow, said a system where entering a number plate to get a tailored parking price had to be “accurate” and not overwhelm drivers.

And he warned that this could make Bath less attractive to visitors.

“Increased parking charges for more polluting vehicles is the next step in local government’s efforts to clean up UK roads by making older and more polluting vehicles less attractive to drive,” he said.

Insiders have warned that the charges – including the highest rates for non-UK vehicles – could have a negative impact on Bath’s main tourist attractions, such as the Abbey

“But it could be an unwelcome development in a more touristy hotspot like Bath, which entertains many visitors who will be unaware of the huge increases in parking costs once they arrive in the area.”

“According to the proposals, drivers will face a 38 percent increase in parking costs over a two-hour period for the most polluting vehicles compared to the least polluting vehicles.

“This shows the direction of travel; and that the cost of owning and operating diesel cars that don’t meet the latest emissions regulations, or older petrol cars, continues to rise.”

The introduction of emissions-based parking charges builds on Bath’s Clean Air Zone, which two years ago was the first emissions charging zone to be introduced outside of London.

Last week, London Mayor Sadiq Khan oversaw the expansion of the ULEZ to all 32 boroughs of the capital – a move that has sparked outrage from many motorists.

Bath is one of 13 different zones across the country where some – or all – vehicles have been charged to enter.

From 15 March 2021, drivers of vans, taxis and Uber-style private hire vehicles will have to pay a £9 entry fee to enter Bath’s inner-city clean air zone, while larger lorries and buses will be charged a daily entry fee of £100.

Cllr Rigby added: “Our overall goal is to improve public safety by improving air quality and reducing congestion and I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and shared their views with us.”

“Air pollution currently causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK each year and responses from the consultation show residents are concerned about air quality in Bath, which these changes will improve.”

“The introduction of these new fees will also support our ambitions towards net zero and build on the progress of the Clean Air Zone.”