By Matt Jarram, Local Democracy Reporter
Nottingham’s Labour councillors have been accused of creating a city against cars over plans to charge residents for parking a second or third vehicle outside their homes.
The plans will see residents having to pay an administration fee of £35 per year for owning a second car and £50 for a third vehicle. However, there will be no permit charge for having one car.
Areas where many residents are forced to park on the streets outside their homes include Lenton and the Meadows. Currently, residential parking permits are free with a maximum of three per household.
The new scheme aims to reduce the number of cars and prevent commuters using residential streets to avoid paying for parking in the city centre.
The council has also been made aware of some residents with one car selling their free second and third permit to make extra cash.
Cllr Neghat Khan (Lab), portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, safety, and inclusion, defended the proposals after concerns were raised by opposition councillors from Nottingham Independents.
The concerns were aired at a full council meeting on Monday, March 7.
She said: “The amounts proposed are considered reasonable, fair and in most cases inexpensive in comparison to other council’s administration fees.
“Sheffield City Council charge £46 for the first permit and £93 for the second. While I appreciate there might be opposition to the proposal at this stage, I would like to remind you that one aspect of this proposal could potentially improve parking in most residential scheme areas.
“At present all permits are free. However, with the introduction of an administration fee we will see fewer second and third permits issued unnecessarily resulting in fewer cars visiting or parking in areas with already limited spaces.
“As a city aiming to be carbon neutral by 2028 this proposal will contribute to that carbon neutral agenda.”
Cllr Kevin Clarke, opposition leader of Nottingham Independents, said the council should be targeting those who cause the problems rather than residents who just want to park outside their homes.
He said: “There is a feeling in the city the council are criminalising cars. These parking permits are simply another means by which car owners are being forced out of the city.
“The city parking levy has created its own issues for people who can’t and won’t pay these fees now parking outside schools or residential areas on a daily basis.
“Now residents are being charged even greater sums just to park outside their homes.”
Cllr Khan responded by saying: “You accuse us of being against car owners. I own a car myself. At the moment, people are actually selling permits because they don’t need them. They have one car for example so there is some sort of fraud happening as well.
“I know in my own ward we don’t put these schemes wherever we want too, we speak to residents.”
Cllr Andrew Rule, opposition leader of the Conservative Group, added: “The parking issues across Wilford and Clifton are not the fault of residents.
“I note there is an attempt at rationalising this charge given the desire to reduce the number of cars in Nottingham, but the reality is using a car for the commute to work is the most direct method for most residents at achieving this particularly those who work outside the city boundary.
“Perhaps consideration could be given to increasing the size of penalty charges for contravention to subsidise the overall permit costs for residents to ensure they are receiving value for money”.
