Council to see £6.7m shortfall from parking charges due success of clean air schemes

By  Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

A council is forecast to receive £6.7million less than expected in parking charges for 2024/25 largely due to the positive results of its clean air schemes.

While Hammersmith and Fulham council said there are multiple factors involved, a spokesman said the drop in Penalty Charge Notices from its Clean Air Neighbourhoods (CANs) as the most significant element.

In March this year, the council made permanent a trial scheme launched just over a year prior covering an area west of Wandsworth Bridge Road. This joined a separate CAN implemented to the road’s east, which had been in-place since December 2021.

Unlike typical Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), the CANs deploy cameras to fine out-of-borough drivers cutting through streets in a bid to reduce vehicle numbers and improve local air quality. 

Data published by Hammersmith and Fulham ahead of the trial’s permanent adoption found it had removed an average of 7,000 vehicles from its roads every day, alongside cuts to carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx).

But, critics accused the council of using ‘selective data’ in its report, adding it has ignored ‘thousands’ of residents concerns.

Conservative councillor Afonso Jose, said: “The council has used this scheme as an easy way to balance the books, but the long term damage to our local economy and the division caused to the community is the real tragedy.”

Those without exemptions caught driving through one of the access points of the CANs are fined £65 if paid within 14 days, or £130 if not. 

Data released earlier this year revealed that for 2023, the two schemes pulled in £11.8million – £7.8million from the western zone, and £4million from the eastern.

In a report published ahead of Monday’s Cabinet meeting the local authority records a ‘forecast variance’, or shortfall, of £6.7million for its parking service area.

A Hammersmith and Fulham spokeswoman said: “We are really pleased that out-of-borough motorists have stopped using residential streets as commuter cut-throughs in South Fulham.

“Pollution from congestion has become a thing of the past. Residential streets are now quieter, cleaner and safer.”

Pictured top: The Clean Air Neighbourhood trial west of Wandsworth Bridge was implemented in February 2023 (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)