‘I’m penalised for using green-fuel car’
Published: 21 January, 2011
by PETER GRUNER
A FREELANCE photographer is appealing against the doubling of parking bay charges in Canonbury, claiming that allowance should be made for a vehicle using non-polluting fuel, writes Peter Gruner.
Felix Clay, 36, who works for national newspapers, including The Guardian, and magazines, is being charged almost £400 a year – up from £200 – to park his Grand Cherokee Jeep in a bay outside his home in Morton Road.
Islington Council has introduced new annual parking bay fees based on engine size and Co2 emissions. But Mr Clay believes there is an anomaly because, although his vehicle has a large 4.7-litre engine, it runs on LPG (liquid petroleum gas), which means its emissions are at least 20 per cent less than petrol.
“It appears that the council’s parking department have a fixed set of figures which takes no account of environmentally friendly fuels like LPG,” he said. “I have a dual-fuel car and I could use petrol but I don’t. LPG is a lot cheaper and less toxic to the environment. Instead of welcoming this fact, the council seems keen on penalising me.”
The LPG national regulatory body is appealing to the council on Mr Clay’s behalf. It argues that many other local authorities now recognise LPG as a green fuel and reduce fees accordingly.
The council says it bases emissions on the manufacturer’s information supplied when the vehicle is new. Mr Clay’s vehicle was fitted with LPG soon after it was purchased but the council says it is not possible to take documents confirming that into account.
• The council’s controversial “roamer” parking scheme – allowing permit holders to use any residential bay – will now apply between 11am and 3pm instead of 10am to 2 pm, after a decision made by the council’s executive committee last Thursday.