Richmond borough’s two multi-storey car parks will begin operating the new simpler parking tariffs from Friday 1 April, as the fair parking revolution continues in Richmond upon Thames
From that date onwards, the 27,500 drivers who use Arragon Road Twickenham, and Paradise Road, Richmond, every month will pay on a much simpler tariff based only on their length of stay and whether or not they are a resident.
The CO2 parking tax regime was voted down by the Council last year and will be soon repealed across the borough. The next stage of removing the CO2-taxed parking charges will begin in late April when the borough’s 300-plus parking meters and all other public car parks will be re-programmed to use the new tariffs.
Cllr Clare Head, Richmond Council’s Cabinet Member for Traffic said: “The role of the state is shrinking and it is not for the Town Hall to dictate to people what type of car they should drive. Instead, we want local people to benefit from cheaper parking because they live here.
“We had no conclusive evidence the CO2 tax on parking made any difference to the type of cars people drive. Within a fortnight it will be gone from the two biggest public car parks in the borough. It has already been removed from CPZ permits and by mid-May it will have gone from all our on street parking meters.
“What this Council has brought in is much fairer. There will be a simpler set of charges, 30 minutes’ free parking and discounts for residents from 1 April for the two car parks and soon after that for all public parking. But people must have a RichmondCard or use a mobile to pay for parking to obtain the discounts.”
The Council is encouraging all residents who do not have a RichmondCard to apply for one. Those who already have a card issued under the now cancelled CO2-charging structure are being written to explaining how the changes will affect them. To apply for a RichmondCard, which is free, call the Council on 08456 122660 or visit www.richmond.gov.uk/parking.
