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Giving parking the green light

What if you could do your bit to save the environment and save yourself money – all with very little effort?

Edinburgh residents will soon be rewarded for environmentally-friendly behaviour as the capital leads the way for Scotland with a parking scheme to combat climate change.

The new Park Green scheme offers the opportunity to make savings on residents’ parking permits, with owners of those more fuel efficient vehicles paying less. Charges for each band in the graduated system are based on the CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions or engine size (cc) of vehicles.

The new sliding charging structure would mean that approximately two-thirds of current permit holders will pay less for their permit, whilea further 14 per cent will be no worse off.

Only permit holders with the most polluting vehicles, or possibly those with a second permit, will pay more than they do at present.

The Park Green scheme helps provide a sensible and innovative way to address the significant contribution to pollution from road traffic, particularly in high density areas, and rewards the climate friendly behaviour of those using less polluting vehicles.

In Edinburgh the majority of pollution hotspots are within controlled parking zones. The aim of the scheme is to encourage residents to buy smaller, energy-efficient vehicles. It is one of various projects proposed by the Council aiming to meet European air pollution targets.

With so many reliable transport alternatives available in Edinburgh, it is hoped the scheme will get everyone thinking about car ownership, particularly the necessity of second vehicles.

Initial consultation last July demonstrated strong public support for the scheme, with almost three-quarters of respondents in favour.

Further public consultation will be held later in the year giving a second opportunity for you to express views.