Drivers across Bath and North East Somerset have been warned they face new emission-based parking charges coming in this month with petrol and diesel cars paying more.
The changes revealed by Bath and North East Somerset Council form part of stricter rules to help tackle air pollution across the region.
The changes will affect all on-street parking in Bath city centre, as well as council-managed car parks in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Saltford.
Under the scheme, vehicles emitting less than 130g/km of CO2, including electric vehicles, will pay a baseline charge while more polluting vehicles will face progressively higher rates.
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Emission-based parking will see diesel vehicles the worst under the new plans
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The move follows the introduction of emission-based charges in Bath car parks last September, which has already seen the proportion of less polluting vehicles using council facilities increase from 34 per cent to 52 per cent.
Now the council plans to implement a two-tier pricing system, with further increases coming in 2026. As part of the changes, the baseline hourly charge for Bath car parks will increase by 10p in October 2025 having already gone up in October last year.
But in January, more polluting vehicles will face a 2.5 per cent increase for each emissions band above the baseline, while charges based on engine capacity will see a five per cent rise per band.
Diesel vehicles more shockingly will incur additional charges, with an extra 30p for stays up to four hours and 50p for longer periods.
Evening parking at Charlotte Street car park will see the baseline rate rise £1.30 this month while overnight parking charges across Bath car parks will increase by £1.
The council explained that the new charging structure aims to encourage a shift towards sustainable transport, promoting more walking and cycling.
The measures form part of the councils Journey to Net Zero Transport Strategy, which seeks to reduce CO2 emissions and vehicle clogging up the city centre.
The council said it is also investing £160million in initiatives to provide more travel choices for residents, workers and visitors.
However free parking will continue for Blue Badge holders displaying their badge in marked bays. The council has also withdrawn proposals to introduce parking charges for motorcycles following public consultation and technical challenges as well as public outcry.
The council stated that the new charges hope to improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions that pose health risks, particularly for young and elderly residents.
According to the Royal College of Physicians, air pollution contributes to around 40,000 deaths annually in the UK and costs over £20billion in health impacts.
But the move to introduce emission-based parking has been met with mixed views with one person sharing that the charges are “very sensible” and that “the largest and most polluting cars should pay for the privilege of storing their vehicle”.
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The charges would impact all council-owned on-street car parks
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However, someone else shared: “Did the council listen to more than 4,000 objections during the public consultation? The answer is NO and parking charges will start in January.
“The decision to use emission-based charges is discriminatory and has a bias to those who can afford the latest fuel-efficient or electric car. All in all, a very disappointing decision for our town.”
