Important consultation on parking charges in RBKC https://www.consultation.rbkc.gov.uk/UploadedFiles/J9_Resident%20Parking%20Permit%20Charges%2028.09.20.pdf

Comments to [email protected] before 10th Nov

As a starting point it should not cost more to park a bicycle in RBKC than a car

That means an owner of any e-vehicle (let’s say the new electric hummer) would only pay £21 per year to park in Kensington as a resident

Yet a mum & daughter have to pay £144 per year to park their two bicycles

So someone who can afford an £86,000 e-vehicle would pay £21 per year for the privilege to park

But

a low income family of four who rely on bicycles (total value £800) to get to school & work could be paying £288 per year b/c they can’t fit the bikes in their 6th floor flat

The reality is the owner of the e-vehicle can easily pay £21 (hey its £69 less than now) and the family will likely leave their bicycles locked up outside on a railing & at least 2 of them will be stolen

A cycle hanger is 2m wide & 2.5m long (half a car parking bay) - to secure 6 bikes costs £432 p/a

Electric hummer coming in at over 5m long & over 2m wide will cost £21 p/a to park in our public space

You won’t get that deal with local property owners, want to park? That’s over £5,200 p/a please

Proposed charging structure takes a simplistic & short sighted view of EV’s, failing to reflect range of EVs coming to the market.

They may not have direct CO2 emissions but they don’t solve the urban transport or city living challenges & have big indirect environmental impacts

It is also hugely regressive given those in a position to readily switch to EVs will be most likely from higher socio-economic groups & those paying the highest parking rates will be those least able to switch & likely to be from lower socio-economic groups

And let’s not forget, for that £21 per year they get to park in any residents’ parking bay in the borough. It’s almost like it could incentivise short journeys by car & be contributing to congestion....