Southwark Council is offering Zipcar free parking permits and urging the company to keep operating in the borough and across London. The announcement comes after Zipcar proposed to end its operations in the UK at the end of the month.
Southwark has an ambitious Streets for People programme to help people walk, cycle and use public transport instead of relying on private cars.
As in many London boroughs, in Southwark 60% of households don’t have access to a car, and car-sharing companies help people and businesses who occasionally need access to a vehicle.
Southwark Council today is offering Zipcar a concession that would give the company free parking permits if it continues to operate in Southwark and is also calling for immediate work across London to help support car-sharing providers.
Cllr James McAsh, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets and Waste, said:
“Zipcar’s recent announcement that it is ceasing operations in the UK is a disaster for our residents, for our Streets for People programme and for the climate.
“That is why today I’m making a bold offer – Southwark will provide a concession to Zipcar giving free parking permits for all their cars until April 2027 if they continue to operate in our borough, so that the thousands of Southwark residents and businesses who rely on Zipcar can continue to do so.
“I’m also determined that if Zipcar go ahead with their plans to cease operating, Southwark Council will work to fill the gap they leave, by writing to other car club operators in the new year to offer them the same concession of free parking permits if they come and launch in Southwark.
“This is a clear sign of our commitment to making Southwark the most attractive place in London for car clubs to operate in, as we work to deliver our ambitious Streets for People programme, and reduce reliance on private vehicle ownership.
“I’m also calling on the Mayor of London, Transport for London, and other councils across London to join us in taking immediate steps to support providers, and to look at how we can create an environment across the capital in which car club providers can thrive, which is key to reducing levels of private car ownership and to create better streets for everyone.”
(Picture: Zipcar)
