Ben Stephens, Head of Parking Services

Chris Lee, Director of Environment and Regeneration introduced the item and explained why Merton is consulting on changes to charges and why now. Introducing emissions based charging was always planned, but in the last consultation the proposed changes did not include emissions as the technology to deliver it was not available.

Covid-19 has meant that public transport not available so during the lockdown we saw a move nationally to encourage much more active travel. In outer London car use now at 150% of previous levels so this is an issue that still needs addressing. We have delayed this consultation due to lock down, as the proposal was originally agreed to go out to consultation in the spring.

The proposed approach builds on the previous consultation. We do not have control over vehicles passing through the borough so we know the proposals do not take into account movement of vehicles. However, it is important to take a proportionate approach to the tools we have.  

Ben Stephens, Head of Parking Services gave a presentation on the details of the proposals and the presentation is attached to this report. Ben explained that more than half of London boroughs either have or are introducing some form of emissions based charging. It is proposed that a supplementary charge based on the approach in the London ULEZ scheme will replace the current diesel levy. The consultation will remain open until 23 October 2020.

FOLLOWING THE MEETING: the consultation was extended to 26 October.

Residents can check their car by using Transport for London’s ULEZ checker, and emissions on the Government website. The Mayor of London has launched a car and motorcycle scrappage scheme to help low income and disabled Londoners scrap older, more polluting cars and motorcycles in favour of cleaner vehicles and greener forms of transport. We also expect use of public transport to return to normal once the pandemic has settled down.

Residents said they felt this proposal was unfair to people who don’t drive regularly or who cannot afford to change cars. Chris Lee said residents may well feel this makes low use of cars less economic so we want motorists to consider other options like car clubs. The intention is to seek to balance responsibility for air quality and climate change in order to nudge behaviour. We will use resources from additional charges to improve infrastructure. We hope public transport will recover from COVID-19 and will improve. With air quality and the climate emergency we cannot continue to live in a car based transport system.

A resident said Motability only has a small choice of low emission vehicles, and asked if this was taken into account in equalities impact assessment. We are currently consulting with equalities groups to make sure they are engaged in consultation and can raise these concerns. Free permits for blue badge holders and carers will still not be charged.

A resident asked if they can vote to remove CPZ or to change operating times, Chris explained that in Merton CPZs are only introduced by resident requests so residents can equally request changes or removal of their CPZs.

Chris Edge from the RPA asked why there are no charges for non-CPZ areas and variations in areas. These charges will apply to anywhere where we have some controls, as we have no powers in other areas. Although we are adding emissions to existing scheme introduced earlier but surcharge will be the same everywhere.

Chris Larkman from the RPA said the increase in the cost of visitor parking would make it difficult for residents.

Cllr Michael Bull said this policy would hit local motorists parking on street but there are not enough incentives to move to electric vehicles. Will the infrastructure for EVs be improved? Chris said that Merton is well ahead of London and national average for EV infrastructure. We have won £160,000 to install 40 lamppost charging units across the borough. Cllr Whelton said we have seen sales of EVs increase and we are keeping the permit charges for EVs low. We are still looking to continue to improve infrastructure.

Councillor Martin Whelton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport, thanked everyone for their contribution and summed up the discussion. He said that Merton wants to improve air quality and make sure the scheme is fairer. The scheme will be a success if fewer people have cars on the road. Cllr Whelton encouraged responses to the consultation and these will be considered by Scrutiny and the Cabinet.