Scots diesel owners face parking fee rise 29 | 03 | 2011

SCOTS CITIES are considering introducing higher parking fees for diesel cars. The move — being considered by councils in Edinburgh and Glasgow — follows a decision by a council in England to raise parking fees for diesel car drivers after highlighting problems with air quality.

The council in Kensington and Chelsea — yup, the area dominated by 'Chelsea Tractors' — voted to implement a £15 surcharge on annual parking permits for diesel cars. A similar move is now being considered in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Edinburgh, of course, has a track record for doing almost anything it can to penalise car drivers and deter them from gaining any form of access to the city. Last year Edinburgh councillors ensured the city became the first in Scotland to implement permit charges based on pollution. The result was owners of so-called 'gas-guzzlers' faced charges as much as double those of more environmentally friendly vehicles.

"Punishing someone for owning a diesel car that produces up to 20% less CO2 than the petrol version is ludicrous," AA president Edmund King, said. "Councils are plundering residents' parking for money to balance their budgets."

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Jim McGill