Drivers in the South West might soon face parking fees based on the size and emissions of their car, thanks to a new policy being considered by Bristol City Council. The council is looking into a parking strategy where bigger, more polluting vehicles, like SUVs, would pay more to park. This idea is in its early stages, but it follows similar schemes in Lambeth and Bath, where parking fees are tied to vehicle weight, emissions, and size.
A committee report explained that the new strategy would focus on managing street, off-street, and resident parking, with pricing adjusted based on factors like vehicle emissions and size. The plan also includes a shift toward greener street use, potentially adding things like cycle hangars, trees, and sustainable drainage systems in place of car spaces.
Bristol’s proposal is heavily influenced by Lambeth, which is turning 25% of its street parking into spaces for people—planting trees and adding seating and bike storage instead of car spaces. Lambeth also charges residents based on their vehicle’s carbon emissions, and Bath has already introduced a similar system.
On October 24, Bristol’s transport committee will vote on setting up a task group to explore these parking changes, with plans expected to take about a year to finalise. Once they’re ready, the public will get a chance to weigh in before any new parking rules are put in place.
In Bath, the emissions-based system introduced last year charges higher-emission cars more to park in council-owned car parks. Some drivers have seen costs rise by as much as 47%, while EV owners and lower-emission cars pay the same. Fees are calculated automatically when drivers enter their registration number, and motorists can check online to see if their car qualifies for extra charges.
