Richmond launches prepaid parking and carbon emissions scheme

Council will use Oyster-style card to consolidate charges and bring in £800,000 in extra revenue

Richmond will allow drivers to register their cars online for the prepayment scheme

Richmond Council has unveiled a pay-as-you-go card that will charge resident drivers for parking and vehicle carbon emissions.

From 1 October, the council will enable residents to register their cars online to buy the pre-paid cards and speed up processes by eliminating the need to use cash at car park ticket machines.

Under the scheme, the prepaid cards will store the vehicle registration number and its relevant DVLA emissions banding. The information will then be used to charge drivers at pay and display ticket machines.

The charge for carbon emissions comes on top of normal parking fees and it is expected to generate an estimated £800,000 in revenue for the council.