Following the decision of the Labour-run Council to press ahead with their plans to implement a new emissions-based parking scheme, even in spite of the public opposition, we have demanded this policy be reviewed at a Council meeting being held on the 17th of February. At this meeting we will once again make the case that this unfair tax will not improve Merton’s air quality, that it will raise prices at a time when residents can least afford it, and it will discriminate against residents who are unable to transition away from cars towards active travel.
Moreover we know this policy won’t work because the previous parking charges tax hike, implemented just last year, did not improve air quality and neither will this one. We want the Council to stop punishing residents with tax hikes, and to instead use innovative technology based solutions such as installing city trees and living walls to tackle the pollution crisis in Merton.
Please read our 'call in' paper below where we set out the grounds for our attempt to prevent this policy being implemented, and also tune in to watch the meeting via Merton Council’s Youtube channel on the 17th of February at 7:15pm.