Labour-run Lambeth Council is taking significant steps to make the borough “diesel-free” and reduce the number of diesel vehicles. The council has tripled diesel surcharge parking fees in an effort to discourage diesel car usage. Previously, the council expressed its goal of becoming diesel-free in the near future. As part of this initiative, the annual parking fee for diesel cars has increased from £42 to £140 for a year-long permit. This means that the diesel surcharge would add one-third to the cost of parking, compared to non-diesel vehicles. Campaigners have applauded Lambeth’s efforts and hope that other London boroughs will follow suit.
One campaign group, Mums for Lungs, suggests that councils should not issue parking permits for new diesel vehicles this year to further accelerate the phasing out of diesel cars. The former Lambeth cabinet member for clean air, Danny Adilypour, expressed the council’s commitment to becoming a diesel-free borough and highlighted how emissions play a significant role in parking charges. Under the plan, higher resident permit surcharges and on-street parking levies for diesel vehicles were introduced, making parking for diesel cars up to one-third more expensive than non-diesel vehicles.
Last month, Lambeth implemented emissions-based parking charges, resulting in an increase of over £160 for some yearly parking permits. The most polluted cars in Lambeth now face a permit cost of £500, compared to £340 the previous year. Even zero-emissions electric vehicles are required to pay £120, compared to £40 previously.
Lambeth’s actions align with other Labour-led councils, including Islington and Southwark, who are also raising charges to reduce car usage. The Mums for Lungs group is organizing a Clean Air Carnival to emphasize their plan for phasing out diesel cars in London. They propose a ban on parking permits for new vehicles, while still allowing permits for existing vehicles and blue badge holders. Additionally, their long-term objective is to ban all vehicles by 2030.
According to Mums for Lungs, there are currently more than 12,000 diesel cars registered in Lambeth and 144,000 across inner London. Jemima Hartshorn, the group’s founder, highlights the importance of local leadership in achieving the end of diesel fumes. Rezina Chowdhury, the deputy leader of Lambeth Council, emphasizes the need to clean up the air and states that vehicles will be charged based on their emissions, with polluting cars paying higher fees and diesel cars facing an additional charge.
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