A new greener car parking strategy for St Albans District is to be drawn up to cover the next five years.
The strategy will shape the management of public car parks owned by St Albans City and District Council as well as on-street parking.
It is intended that it will help achieve the council’s priority of tackling the climate emergency by being more eco-friendly.
The other guiding principles will be better digital services, improved enforcement, accessibility and streamlining the customer experience.
A number of projects to achieve these goals will be initiated. These include measures to reduce carbon emissions and deliver greener parking services.
This might involve, for example, parking charges that reward the use of eco-friendly vehicles.
The main principles of a new strategy were agreed by the Council’s Public Realm Committee at its meeting on Monday, December 13.
A detailed strategy will be now drawn up after public consultation and considered by the Committee in June.
Councillor Anthony Rowlands, the committee’s chair, said after the meeting: “We are committed to making major improvements to the district’s environment by reducing emissions to net zero by 2030.
“That is our number one goal and it is therefore only right that our new parking strategy will be rooted in that over-riding objective. We will now embark on drawing up plans for greener parking services that I am sure will be supported by our residents.
“It is also crucial that our parking services can better meet the needs of disabled and older people and utilises the latest user-friendly digital technology to their benefit.”
The strategy will include a review of the council’s enforcement service with a focus on specific issues such as congestion, road safety and parking outside schools.
Cllr Rowlands added: “I am pleased that the Committee has agreed the key principles of a new strategy.
“It will provide us with a framework for the years ahead and guide the projects we will undertake to enhance this important public service. We recognise our parking services have to meet the needs of residents and businesses, provide a positive visitor experience, improve air quality and support our efforts to tackle climate change.”
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