Owners of most polluting cars need to pay double for parking in Lambeth Borough

On 30 May 2023, the London Borough of Lambeth introduced a new parking charge system. The council is the latest in London to base the fees for parking on the pollution level of the respective vehicles, with owners of the most polluting cars needing to pay up to twice as much as cleaner cars.

The tariff structure connects to the car’s tax band and applies a diesel surcharge. For example, paid parking nearby the Waterloo station can now range between £6.30 and £13.23 per hour. Residents parking permits have increased from £340.73 to £500, as well as being topped by another £140 charge for all diesel vehicles that do not meet Euro 6 emission standards.

Lambeth Council introduced the new parking charges despite many comments during the public consultation phase objecting the proposal. The main argument for it is the pressing need to improve air quality as a major public health issue and in reaction to climate change.

Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for sustainable Lambeth and clean air, stated: “We were the first London borough to declare a climate emergency, and we have set a target to slash our carbon emissions to make Lambeth a net-zero borough by 2030. These changes will make our parking fees structure fairer and more reflective of the different levels of pollution produced by vehicles – and ensure those who pollute the most are charged the most to park.”

Lambeth also employs other measures to reduce car journeys, such as low traffic schemes in the light of the 15-minute city concept, with the idea to protect residential roads from through-traffic.