Edinburgh is set to introduce residential parking permits based on vehicle emissions, following public support for the move.
The council will be the first in Scotland and the largest in the UK to introduce the scheme, which will see drivers of high-emission vehicles pay more for residential parking.
Almost three-quarters (73%) of 1,670 respondents to a consultation supported the scheme, compared with just 49% in Richmond, which introduced the first scheme of its kind in 2007.
The new charging structure will mean around two-thirds of current permit-holders will pay less for their permit, while a further 14% will be worse off. The council said it expects to see a small reduction in revenue.
Cllr Phil Wheeler, transport convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: ‘As a local authority, the council has a duty to meet local air quality standards, set by the European Union by 2010 and, unless we take action now, we will fail to meet the standards set.
‘With zero carbon emissions, the tram scheme will contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide, but we must consider and introduce other more innovative solutions. ‘This initiative will actually result in the council losing a small amount of parking revenue, but should help us towards achieving our ultimate goal of improved air quality and a better environment for all.’
It will take about nine months to complete the Traffic Regulation Order process, following which the new regime will be implemented. The scheme was rubber-stamped on Tuesday.
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