Higher polluting vehicles will be charged more to park in Reading under new proposals being considered by the Council as part of its ongoing drive to improve local air quality and the health of residents.

The proposed charges for on-street parking and resident parking permits would vary depending on a vehicle’s emissions. A sliding scale of parking tariffs based on a vehicle’s emissions rating would be introduced, meaning the less polluting the vehicle, the less you pay.

The scheme sits alongside the Council’s drive to encourage use of low or zero emission vehicles, public transport, cycling and walking, and reduce air pollution to benefit the health of residents. It would also contribute towards the aim of the Council, and borough, for Reading to become a net zero town.

Emission-based car parking charges will be made possible by a necessary upgrade of on-street pay and display machines which will also enable easier and more convenient ways to pay.

The new charging structure will be considered by members of the Council’s Policy committee on 20 January. If agreed, the scheme would be introduced in April, subject to a public consultation on the changes.

The Council’s current on-street pay and display machines are now reaching their end of life and their replacement will allow the introduction of emission-based parking charges.

Under the proposed scheme, drivers wishing to park in a pay and display zone would need to enter their vehicle’s registration details into the machine, which would then access DVLA information about the vehicle’s emission rating and charge accordingly.

Pic: Reading Borough Council