Merton Council has today opened a consultation on changes to parking charges, which are needed to address an increase in the costs of parking services caused by inflation.

One option being looked at is the introduction of a surcharge on permits for vehicles with high carbon emissions, to help persuade motorists to switch towards cleaner modes of transport.

Permit prices and on-street charges were last revised in January 2020. Since then, inflation has increased costs by almost 17%, and parking usage has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

It is proposed an average increase of 16.8% in permit prices, which in practice would mean most residents’ parking permits would increase by £15 over the year, or 29 pence per week.

Changes to e-permits, scratch-cards and a reduction in the price of annual visitor parking permits are also proposed. It is also proposed that on-street bay and car park charges should increase.

Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “Regrettable though it is, the Council has no choice but to price parking in a way that takes account of rising costs. We are committed to managing and enforcing Controlled Parking Zones and our other highways, while protecting residents’ parking availability and deterring illegal on-street parking.

“We remain committed to tackling the climate crisis by lowering carbon emissions, with the aim of becoming a Net Zero borough by 2050.”

For full details of the consultation and details of how to respond can be found at: Proposed changes to parking charges : Overview | Merton Council.