Town's emissions-based parking set for roll-out

About half of drivers are expected to need to pay more because of a council's charges on the most polluting vehicles, which will be introduced from 2 February.

Reading Borough Council will introduce its emission-based charges for pay-and-display on-street parking and residents' permits to improve air quality and health.

The authority said the increase in charges will affect vehicles with emission levels of 151g/km (grams per kilometre) or above, which it said means most petrol vehicles will escape any extra charges.

Motorists using vehicles with emission levels above 151g/km of CO2 will pay at least 20% more, while diesel vehicles' owners with that classification will pay at least 25% more.

The council said it expected about half of cars will fall into its lowest price category and see no increase, while a quarter will face the lowest tariff.

For someone using the Inner Central Tariff and parking for two hours with a vehicle that produces between 151-170g/km, they will face a charge of £7.20. The council's normal tariff is £6.

Nationally, any car producing at least 151g/km is included in band G or above for emissions.

The council's move comes after similar schemes were introduced in several London boroughs and in Bath and North East Somerset, where it has been claimed the changes have had a positive impact.

John Ennis, Reading Borough Council's lead councillor for climate strategy and transport, said good air quality is a priority for the authority.

"Although we are seeing an improved situation in Reading, there are still areas where pollution levels are too high. That impacts on the health and wellbeing of residents, particularly children, older people and those with heart and lung conditions," he added.

"We know that transport accounts for around 30% of carbon emissions nationally and the introduction of emission-based parking charges is one way the council is working to reduce its impact."