Petrol and diesel owners targeted under shock new parking rule changes

A public consultation is now expected to be held before the new updates come into effect in the Spring. 

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport stressed petrol and diesel vehicles emit pollution which could be a major risk for many.

He said: “We know that transport accounts for around 30% of all carbon emissions nationally and the Council is aiming to improve air quality in Reading by encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles, public transport, cycling and walking.

“Emission-based parking charges means those motorists with higher polluting vehicles pay more, while those with lower or zero-emission vehicles pay less.”

Reading Council plans to raise pay and display and parking permit rates on a “sliding scale” with those emitting the most pollution to see fees double.

A previous report shows cars emitting over 255g/km of CO2 will pay £6 per hour to use council parking bays, up from the existing £3 an hour fee. 

Motorists parking for up to three hours will be forced to pay an eye-watering £18 per hour compared to £9 under the current rules. 

However, councillor Rob White said while he “supported the principle”, there were concerns about whether the plan was simply “a fundraiser for the council”.

He added: “It doesn’t give people whose permit is up for renewal, time to buy a new car, that is assuming they have the money.”

According to previous estimations, the new scheme could raise a whopping £330million for Reading Council over the 2025/26 financial year.

New fees from residential permit costs will generate an extra £100million with on-street pay and display machines bringing in an extra £230million.