Agenda item

Report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment.

The Committee considered a report of the Interim Executive Director, Environment in respect of car parking tariffs for the four car parks within the Environment Department (Baynard House, Minories, Tower Hill and London Wall) and the car park within Markets (Smithfield).  The report sought approval of an emissions-based charging system for visitors, which has operated for on-street Pay & Display parking bays since 2017 and proposed new tariff levels for a three-year period.

An Officer stated that the report set out a three-year strategy which included moving towards the emissions-based charging tariff that had been successfully implemented on-street since 2018. He stated that this aligned with the Transport Strategy. Zero emission vehicles would pay the same tariff as currently and the strategy would ensure costs were covered and the City remained competitive. The Officer informed Members that the tariffs remained lower than the on-street tariffs to encourage parking in car parks rather than on the street.

In response to a question as to whether pricing could be lower on Monday and Fridays to try and encourage more people into offices, the Officer stated that the strategy, which predated the Transport Strategy but was also embedded within it, was to provide facilities for those who serviced the square miles rather than for commuters and those driving in. They were instead encouraged to use public transport.

A Member requested that consultation take place before any changes were made to resident season tickets. She stated that whilst the Barbican, Golden Lane Estate and Middlesex Street Estate had car parks, many other developments did not and it was important that there was reasonable car parking prevision for those who needed a car. The Officer stated that there were discussions taking place with colleagues to understand the nature of parking provision on the major estates and there would also be consideration of provision for those living elsewhere. A report would be brought back to the Committee for approval.

A Member suggested that in the future, a similar scheme to the one recently introduced in Paris where large SUVs were charged for entering the City, could be considered. She raised concerns that larger and wider cars parked in bays were harder for cyclists to cycle pass. The Officer stated that there was a review about five years ago which looked at expanding the size of parking bays to accommodate larger vehicles. Consideration would be given to different vehicle types entering the City in the Transport Strategy Review.

A Member commented that air quality was important and electric, hydrogen and hybrid vehicles were not zero emission vehicles and that they produced higher particulate emissions than an equivalent petrol or diesel car. He stated that weight of vehicles should be a consideration. The Officer stated that this was being considered and although there were limits to the way technology could be used, the different classifications of vehicle would be considered within the Transport Strategy.

RESOLVED, that -

1.        A change in approach to the car parking tariff for Baynard House, London Wall, Minories and Tower Hill car parks, to encourage a shift towards less polluting or zero-emissions capable vehicles, be approved;

2.        The three-year pricing strategy for parking charges from 2024, as set out in the report, be approved; and

3.        It be noted that the Smithfield Wholesale Market has delegated

           authority to the Smithfield General Manager, in consultation with the

           Smithfield Market Tenants Association, to make decisions about tariff

           pricing within Smithfield car park.