Changes to how we charge for parking

From the revised dates of Monday 8 April 2024 for pay-to-park and 3 June 2024 for resident permits (dates now confirmed), vehicles are being charged primarily based on their level of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

This is ascertained via a DVLA look-up at the point of purchase. The charging is banded dependent upon emission levels, meaning the least polluting vehicles pay the least and the most polluting pay the most. We are also operating a diesel surcharge for pre-2015 diesel vehicles.

You are able to ascertain your vehicle's CO₂ output level​​​​​​ by entering your vehicle registration details into the Get Vehicle Information pages on the DVLA's website.

Notice of Making / Statement of Reasons (pay-to-park)

The Notice of Making and Statement of Reasons for the resident permit scheme changes will be published nearer the 3 June date.

Why are we making these changes?

Introducing these schemes aims to encourage the use of low-polluting vehicles and discourage the use of those that are more polluting.

The schemes aim to encourage those who park regularly in Westminster to think about their choices regarding vehicle use and ownership in terms of the type of vehicles they own and how polluting they are. Central London has had traditionally high levels of pollution.

The cheapest charges in each of Westminster's parking zones will be lower than in the London Boroughs of Brent, Camden, Hammersmith and Fulham and in the City of London.

Read our press release for our statement on emission-based parking charges.

What is also changing?

These changes mean that from Monday 8 April 2024, we have withdrawn the concession for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids which enabled those vehicles to park up to the bay's maximum stay for a minimum 10-minute payment.

Also, a new charging regime will apply for resident permits purchased or renewed starting Monday 3 June 2024. As well as the new charges, upon permit purchase or renewal from this date, each vehicle will require a separate permit, but we will allow individuals up to three permits each. However, extra charges will apply for a second and a third permit.

Public consultation

The public consultation exercise ran from Thursday 25 January to Wednesday 14 February 2024. All comments, representations and objections received have been collated and presented to the City Council for consideration. The City Council’s consultation report, which includes all representations and objections received as part of the formal consultation and the Council’s consideration of those responses, is published below. All those who submitted a representation/objection will be sent a copy.

The cabinet member's original decisions to approve the new charging schemes are published online.

• Approval for the scheme's concept
• Approval for the schemes' detail
• Climate Action, Environment and Highways Policy and Scrutiny Report

Further information

Pay-to-park charges for EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles have been extremely low (from 8p an hour in Paddington to just 24p an hour in the West End) as to be virtually nominal. Until 2017, these vehicles were granted free parking at pay-to-park bays in Westminster. For resident permits, 'eco' permits are currently free of charge. As the EV charges are increasing from an extremely low base, any change to fit the aims of the new scheme would inevitably result in a large percentage increase.

The council operates a trades permit scheme whereby a tradesperson can obtain a zone-specific permit to park in that zone all day in any pay-to-park bay or any resident bay between the hours of 8am and 5:30pm. The new prices start at £20.90 per day, which is less than £3 per hour.

Vehicle examples

Examples of where a number of commonly-owned vehicles would fit into the emissions-based charging scheme for resident permits.