Newham Council has announced a one-off, 20% discount for new emissions based parking charges for households impacted financially by Coronavirus.
Newham Council has announced a one-off, 20% discount for new emissions based parking charges for households impacted financially by Coronavirus.
Newham is introducing new parking permit charges and a new paperless system in January 2021 as part of our ongoing efforts to improve air quality in the borough.
The new parking permit charges are aimed at lowering vehicle emissions by encouraging residents to switch towards less polluting vehicles as well as considering taking more local trips by sustainable modes of transport, like walking and cycling.
The new permit charges will start from 6 January 2021, and are based on CO2 categories used by HMRC for vehicle taxation.
Cllr James Asser, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport, said in recognition of the financial impacts of Covid-19, a 20% discount would be applied to the overall cost of the first resident’s permit for each household. He said:
“Coronavirus is not only a threat to our health, but has also had a financial impact. We have listened to concerns from residents suffering financial hardship as a result of the pandemic and have decided to apply this one-off discount.”
Under the new emissions charges, the majority of resident permit fees are set at £60, with the costs increasing for additional permits and for higher polluting vehicles. The 20% discount will be applied to the overall cost of the first resident permit only.
Cllr Asser added: “The impact of Covid, coupled with poor air quality, has presented us with twin challenges to improve the lives and health of our residents. There is now emerging evidence about the links between increased Covid mortality rates and long-term exposure to air pollution as well as dirty air being linked to increase risks of catching coronavirus.
“During the first lockdown we saw the impact of fewer cars on our roads – cleaner air. A 40 per cent reduction in road traffic during lockdown resulted in a 50 per cent reduction in noxious nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution in our busiest roads.
“Newham has the poorest air quality in the country and some of the highest rates of child hospital admissions linked to asthma. Every year, 96 Newham residents die prematurely due to poor air quality.
“Emissions from vehicles are a major contributor to the borough’s poor air quality and the introduction of this emissions-based approach will help encourage people to rethink the number, type and use of their vehicles. Doing nothing is no longer an option.”
Residents with parking renewals due in January are encouraged to sign up to our new online parking system MiPermit Newham. The new system means permit holders will no longer be issued with paper permits.
More information about the new emissions based charges: www.newham.gov.uk/emissionsbasedcharging