Opponents Say 'Super Permits' Undermine Notion of Climate Emergency

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Hounslow's introduction of all areas parking passes criticised

Hounslow Council have introduced a range of ‘super permits’ which will allow anyone who purchases one to park in any Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) or any on-street parking bay in the borough.

Concerns have been raised that the permits will be popular with commuters and people who have purchased flats in car-free developments in the borough who are not allowed to get permits for their local CPZ.

The new range of business permits were introduced earlier this month. A permit for a low emission car such as a Prius would cost £1,100 per annum to park in all zones and all bays. For other cars the cost would be £1,500.

Even at the higher rate it is calculated that these permits would offer a substantial saving for anyone needing to park on a daily basis in the borough particularly after the recent raises for on-street parking introduced by the council.

The permits available are:

Permit Type	Cost per Annum
Business private (low emission*)	£600
Business private	£900
Business commercial (low emission)	£350
Business commercial	£650
Business private - all zones (low emission)	£900
Business private	£1300
Business commercial - all zones (low emission)	£650
Business commercial - all zones	£1050
Business private/commercial - all zones/all bays (low emission)	£1100
Business private/commercial	£1500

+Low emission” for a passenger vehicle means a vehicle whose CO2 emissions figure does not exceed 75g of CO2/km, and for a goods vehicle whose CO2 emissions figure does not exceed 100g of CO2/km.

Local resident Jeremy Parkinson said, “There is nothing wrong with these permits in principle, they will make the operation of some businesses and services much easier and efficient. However, at current levels they appear to me to be under-priced and will be attractive to people not just specific business reasons but for general convenience bring more traffic to the borough.

“There is no indication given about the qualifications required to be given a permit but if they are lax then they could be very popular with commuters. With train season tickets so expensive and good reasons at the moment to avoid public transport, the permits could offer some people financial savings. Hounslow is a borough that has declared a climate emergency but they clearly have a budget emergency as well and selling lots of these permits could serve to reduce the shortfall in their accounts significantly with the increase in traffic in the borough being seen as an unfortunate side effect.”

Cllr Sam Hearn, borough spokesperson for the opposition on transport issues said, “One reason why parking in specific controlled parking zones is restricted to residents who live in those zones is to prevent commuters hogging the parking spaces around transport hubs and destination shopping areas. These restrictions encourage residents to make short journeys on foot or by public transport and increase the chances of local residents being able to park close to their own homes.”

We have asked Hounslow Council about the requirements to be allowed to purchase one of the new ‘super permits’ and if they felt the policy was consistent with the declared climate emergency but have not received a response.

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February 26, 2021