Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER Published: 23 November 2007
Policy based on ‘polluter pays more’ principle
LIB Dem environment spokeswoman Councillor Lucy Watt stressed that the Town Hall would not make extra cash out of the new parking permit system.
“Under the new system, the vast majority of residents – two-thirds – pay less for their parking permits,” she said. “The suggestion that it is an income generator for the council is simply not true. “We have also always been clear that there will be some winners and some losers because this is, after all, a ‘green’ parking policy. “It’s based on the principle that the polluter pays more, and we’ve designed it to reward those who drive less-polluting cars by giving them cheaper parking permits.”
She added: “We are charging vehicles before 2001 on the basis of engine size, as are Lambeth, Richmond and Camden, which have also introduced green parking systems, and so is the Mayor of London for his congestion charge. “It is widely accepted that this is the most consistent and reliable indicator for carbon emissions in older vehicles, which is why we use it.”