Petrol and diesel drivers face sharp parking hikes from April alongside car tax raises with Labour blamed

Petrol and diesel drivers in a major city have been warned they face steep increases in parking charges which could be introduced in a matter of weeks.

Edinburgh City Council has put forward plans to increase parking rates by a shocking 13 per cent across the Scottish capital in a bid to plug a funding black hole.

The proposals, which will go before councillors next week, could be introduced on April 1, which coincides with impending Vehicle Excise Duty hikes.

From April 1 drivers across the UK will be subject to new car tax rates with electric vehicles being taxed for the first time. The increases were announced in the Autumn Budget with Chancellor Rachel Reeves hoping it would bring a level playing field for all petrol, diesel and electric cars.

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But under the new plans revealed in the council’s Budget document, it would see parking prices increase on popular tourist streets including George Street, St Andrew Square, Charlotte Square, Queen Street, Market Street and Cockburn Street, all of which could see hikes of nearly 10 per cent with a new £9 hourly rate.

The changes form part of a wider package of council service price rises being considered by city officials. In the Stafford Street and Melville Street area, along with Morrison Street to Shandwick Place and parts of the Old Town, parking costs will climb by over 11 per cent to £8 per hour.

Diesel owners will be particularly affected by the new costs with the annual diesel surcharge for permits increasing from £60 to £70, representing a 16 per cent hike.

For central zones one through four, annual permit costs for vehicles with engines over 3000cc will increase to £994.90, while vehicles between 2501cc and 3000cc in the same zones will pay £675. The lowest band for vehicles under 1000cc will rise to £91.70.

Outside central zones, the highest band permits for vehicles over 3000cc will surge to £458.40. The highest band permits in priority parking areas will cost £152.60. Areas including the West End, Palmerston Place, Moray Place, South Side, Nicholson Street, Tollcross, Fountainbridge and Heriot Row will see rates rise by more than 13 per cent to £6.80 per hour.

Priority parking areas will see the steepest percentage increase for visitor permits at 17 per cent, rising to 27p per 30 minutes, the council documents detailed.

Resident parking permits are also set for significant increases, with charges rising between three and six per cent across the capital. If approved, most of the new charges would take effect from April 1, although some parking permit increases would begin from the end date of existing permits while others would come in sporadically throughout the month.

The council’s budget aims to address significant financial pressures, including an £8million shortfall from increased employer National Insurance contributions.

The parking increases are expected to generate additional revenue while supporting the council’s environmental objectives with the council noting that due to cost hikes by Labour, the council has difficult decisions to make.

Official council documents detailed: “Edinburgh is also a city of deeply entrenched inequalities, and after over a decade of austerity, the continuing impact of Brexit, the pandemic and the continuing cost of living crisis, there are significant challenges affecting our residents – challenges we must come together as a city to address.

“These challenges have only been made worse by the new Labour Government. The recent increase in employer National Insurance has had a significant implication on finances for Local Authorities. Additional challenges amidst climate, nature, and housing emergencies which must be a consideration and influence our investments and decision-making.”

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