Parking Permit Diesel Surcharge

Sutent

<font face="Arial, Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal;">Good to see the council doing something about these cars</span></font><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></div><div><font face="Arial, Verdana"><span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px; line-height: normal;">http://www.islington.gov.uk/services/parking-roads/parking/Pages/Diesel-surcharge.aspx </span></font><br></div>;

NorthNineteen

Hmmmmm, the vehicles that contribute to poor air quality in Islington are not vehicles from Islington.  It will also be a big impact on some of the poorest residents in the Borough.  I'm also annoyed as a got a diesel vehicle because the low parking permits (due to the low CO2 emissions) so now have a bill I wasn't counting on.

Papa

Sutent, I disagree, the council has encouraged people to buy those very cars for years and still continues to do so through its CO2-graded parking permit charges - this overwhelmingly favours diesels based on the profile of car ownership being that most people don't own brand new cars.<div><br></div><div>I believe this is an issue for government, not local councils. That's because this is a charge solely on diesels parked and thus not emitting in the borough, not all those driving through it everyday.</div><div><br></div><div>Piecemeal council action like this will then possibly be added to by action at a national level - will Islington then remove the extra charge.<br><div><br></div><div>I would be more sympathetic to this if the council had:</div><div><br></div><div>Apologised for encouraging people to buy diesels</div><div>Rejigged parking charges to make them no longer favour diesel cars and made this cost neutral rather than a revenue-raiser</div><div>Admitted it is deeply regressive - those with more money can buy a different car.</div><div>Actually put forward some proper evidence when it suggested this - rather than soundbites</div><div><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Acknowledged that across nitrogen oxide pollution from cars has fallen <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131216/text/131216w0003.htm#13121640000009">across London</a> and <a href="http://naei.defra.gov.uk/overview/pollutants?pollutant_id=6">nationally</a></span></div><div><br></div></div><div>This is classic <span style="font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">half-baked </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Islington Council meddling</span></div><div><br></div><div>For anyone interested in some facts behind why diesel is considered bad there is <a href="http://www.air-quality.org.uk/26.php">some stuff here</a> </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

Brodiej

<p>Good post Papa L.</p><p>If we are looking to reduce pollution in the borough then I fully expect there to be a ban on all types of tobacco smoking, BBQs, charcoal grills on green lanes (the kebab tax), bonfire night, smoking of kippers and meat, and birthday cakes due to the emissions of candles. </p><p>I'm happy to pay based on the scenario made by Papa L above, but might hedge my bets and just buy a much bigger diesel engine car with the view that they will gun for something else in 2 years time and diesel will be old news.</p><p>All council vehicles will need to be made hybrid or petrol by the end of the year. No exceptions, otherwise what they preach is nonsense.</p>

Papa

Thanks Brodie J,<div><br></div><div>It's the lack of a mea culpa and apology from Islington for encouraging everyone to go diesel that really gets me.<br><div><br></div><div>Also, every time I walk past the Islington Council Spy Car it is sat there with the engine running. </div><div>I have taken to tapping on the window and politely asking the people loafing around inside to turn the engine off. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>