Local residents hit out at plans to introduce £300 parking permits in Glasgow based on car emissions

Parking permits in the west of Glasgow could cost some residents as much as £300 if the policy by the council goes ahead.

The local authority wants to base the price of a residential parking permit off a car’s emission, which could see the cost soar. They’re seeking views until the end of the month.

Lyndsay McGill, a supply teacher who lives on one of the streets which will be part of the scheme told STV News she’s facing another huge payout after she just upgraded her car to make it Low Emission Zone compliant.

She said: “I’ve got an extra outgoing every month that I didn’t expect to have because I had to get rid of a perfectly good car, that was functioning fine, then pay money out of my non-existent wages just now because I’m a supply teacher and I need this car to get to work in Stirlingshire. I can’t do without it.

“With that extra outgoing I’m already struggling and to have this proposed parking permit change on top of it seems a bit unfair. I’m being penalised even though I meet the new standards.”

If these proposals by the council go ahead, they will come into force across 21 parking zones, mostly concentrated in the west of the city.

It will impact more than 10,000 local residents who already have permits.

There could be five bandings based on the amount of carbon or emissions generated by each vehicle.

The lowest charge will be £80 a year – £5 less than the current cheapest permit. It then jumps to £180, £265, and £280. The highest polluting cars will set residents back £300.

Khalid Bhatti says his household is facing an almost £1,000 bill under the proposals. STV News

One resident, Khalid Bhatti, has started an online petition to stop the change. His household is facing an almost £1,000 bill for permits under the proposal.

He told STV News: “I feel that the council is taking advantage of the people who are residents here and have nowhere else to go and to park. It’s going to affect low-income families.

“For me, if it’s about looking after the environment, they should put toll booths on the motorway. They’re the heavy polluters there, rather than hitting the local residents. The residents are only in an enclosed area, it’s not even the whole of Glasgow.”

Glasgow City Council is facing a black hole of more than £100m for the next three years.

A spokesperson said: “These proposals have successfully completed the first phase of the traffic regulation order process, and we have now moved forward to receive views from the wider public.

“The possible introduction of carbon-based parking permits was originally put forward in Glasgow’s Transport Strategy as a way to support a shift to more sustainable forms of transport. Reducing the carbon output from our transport network is vital if Glasgow is to achieve its target of net zero carbon by 2030.

“Parking permits have a part to play by ensuring limited road space is shared as equitably as possible and the use of vehicles doesn’t create barriers for other who wish to walk, wheel or cycle or travel by other more sustainable means.

“Almost half of Glasgow’s households don’t have access to a car and rely upon active travel, public transport, or initiatives such as a car club to get about the city. The city’s approach to parking controls can have a direct bearing on how car use is managed, which can support the reliability of the bus system or encourage more people to walk, wheel or cycle.

“Under the proposals the cars that produce the most carbon will pay the most for parking. Like any traffic-related charge, any income goes to support the parking system itself but also a range of roads, transportation, and other environmental initiatives.

“Parking controls can ensure residents park close to their homes while also helping to improve the flow of traffic through the roads network and supporting road safety for all road users.”