Cambridge to tackle pollution through parking charge

Changes to car parking tariffs in Cambridge, designed to incentivise drivers to avoid city centre car parks during peak hours to reduce congestion and address air pollution, look set to be introduced from April 2018.

The proposals, which were put out for consultation in November 2017, would see the introduction of a ‘Peak Time Congestion Trial’ for a period of 12 months from April 2018.

Cambridge council is proposing an increase in parking costs during peak times (8-10am) to discourage car-use

Charges will be introduced from April 1 subject to the approval of the council’s budget in February.

The new tariff is designed to reduce the number of vehicles using city centre multi-storey car parks during the peak hours of 8am to 10am and into the less busy periods of the day.

Parking between these times will attract an additional tariff of 50p per hour for every hour they stay.

Park and Ride

Drivers will instead be encouraged to use Park and Ride sites, which will be free to use during these hours.

Commenting on the proposals, Councillor Kevin Blencowe, the city council’s executive councillor for planning policy and transport, said: “Our parking strategy aims to reduce congestion, improve air quality and maintain value for money for short stay parking.

“We want to encourage motorists to use the Park and Ride sites rather than city centre multi-storey car parks and that is why we plan to introduce charges that dis-incentivise driving in to the centre.

“We have invested in our car parks and demonstrated that we provide customers with a good service. Now, we need a fair pricing structure that will help to tackle congestion and reduce air pollution.”

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