Lambeth to take out residential parking as car ownership falls

David Wilson: ‘Sustainable kerbside uses’ will generate more revenue than parking

On-street residential parking spaces are to be removed in Lambeth to reflect the continuing fall in car ownership in the borough, the council’s David Wilson told delegates at Cycle County Active County.

Currently 60% of households in the borough do not own a car, and this will continue to increase, said Wilson, climate response and strategy manager, transport and public realm at Lambeth Council.

He estimates that 94% of kerb space in the borough is currently allocated to parked vehicles.

Under the Lambeth Kerbside Strategy, launched earlier this year, 25% of kerb space would transfer to “sustainable uses” such as bus lanes, street trees, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), parklets and cycle parking. But some of this space would also be set aside for car clubs and disabled bays.

The £31.7m strategy is designed to help the borough meet its net zero target by 2030. By then “sustainable” kerbside uses, such as dockless bikes, parklets, car club bays and EV charging points, will eventually generate more revenue for the council than parking, Wilson predicted, though he did not specify when.

Re-allocating space to uses other than parking will support high street business, believes Wilson, with street trees, rain gardens and parklets making them more attractive destinations.

The council is changing its kerbside pricing, so that the owners of vehicles that produce more greenhouse gases or take up more space will have to pay more for parking, said Wilson. “If your vehicle produces more exhaust or non-exhaust pollutants you should pay more. And if your vehicle takes up more space and increases congestion you should pay more.”