'D-charge' could be extended in Westminster diesel clampdown

A flagship Tory council is to consider extending a new “D-charge” on pay-to-park bays after the number of dirtier diesels using them fell by an estimated 12 per cent following its introduction.

A surcharge of £2.45 an hour for pre-2015 diesel vehicles to park in a swathe of Westminster started in June.

It is being trialled at 1,424 parking bays in Marylebone, and parts of Fitzrovia and the Hyde Park area.

An analysis of parking from June 28 to September 19 estimated that the number of these dirtier diesel vehicles using the bays dropped by slightly more than 12 per cent to 97,300.

Some of this would have been down to the usual trend of drivers upgrading to newer models, but the levy is still believed to have deterred a significant number of motorists from driving their dirtier diesels into the area.

The overall number of vehicles using the bays fell by 6.5 per cent, from 373,000 to 348,490 during a period, from June 26 to September 17.

David Harvey, of Westminster City Council, said: “Once the year-long pilot is complete we will consider whether it could work in other parts of Westminster.”