Award salutes ground-breaking CO2 parking scheme

5.55.46pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 26th Apr 2007

A prestigious transport award, hailing Richmond Council's efforts to combat climate change through its ground-breaking CO2 related parking scheme, was received by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Serge Lourie, and Cabinet Member for Parking, Cllr David Trigg, last night (April 25).

The award for "Outstanding Contribution to Local Transport in London" saluted the Council's approach to tackling climate change. The prize was awarded at the annual London Transport Awards ceremony held in central London. The awards, supported by Transport for London (TfL), recognise the work going on in both the public and private sectors to improve transport across the capital. The Richmond award was linked to the pioneering CO2 related parking scheme, under which Richmond became the first Council to charge for parking permits based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. The radical policy, launched earlier this month, marked a major new effort by the Council to encourage residents to opt for vehicles emitting less CO2 and attracted headlines world-wide.

Cllr Lourie said:

"The award recognises the Council's trail-blazing efforts to combat climate change here in Richmond upon Thames. This Council has put green issues at the heart of its policies and aims to become the most sustainable borough in the country. The new CO2 related scheme underlines our innovative approach and many other local authorities have already followed our lead. We hope this trend will continue not only in this country but around the world."

Cabinet Member for Traffic, Transport and Parking, Cllr David Trigg, added:

We are determined to encourage people to switch to greener forms of transport as this will have a major impact on reducing CO2 emissions. Our pioneering policy will make a real difference and the more Councils that follow our example the greater the positive effect will be in the long-term. I am delighted the Council's efforts have been recognised."