Petrol and diesel owners targeted with higher fees in major November parking rule change

and owners will be targeted and forced to pay more under a major overhaul set to be introduced this month.

are set to launch with charges calculated

The new charges will be phased into council-owned car parks in Bath, Keynsham, and Saltford throughout November.

A one-hour stay in a council-owned Bath car park will cost between £1.80 and £2.60 with

Petrol vehicles emitting between 131 to 150g/km of CO2 are set to pay the lower amount while diesel cars pumping out above 226 g/km will be most hit.

Further changes to on-street parking bays in Bath will come later down the line in January 2025.

However, councillors have been forced to alter the scheme after feedback from residents.

Some areas will now be handed a two-hour free parking exemption while hourly rates have also been reduced.

Councillor Manda Rigby, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: "We've had great feedback from our consultation, and I'd like to thank all those that took the time to share their views with us.

"We've listened and made changes to what was originally put forward and will now introduce two hours free parking in Midsomer Norton and Radstock car parks with a reduced tariff for longer stays. Currently, there will be no parking charges for motorbikes."

Combustion models on UK roads despite an increased interest in electric cars.

By the end of 2023, there were around 19.7million petrol cars with 10.7 million diesel vehicles across the UK.

Bath and North East Somerset Council hopes the system could improve pedestrian safety through improved air quality.

They have previously said the charges will encourage owners of "higher polluting vehicles to seek cleaner, more sustainable travel".

Cllr Rigby added: "Air quality in Bath & North East Somerset is improving, we know it's a concern for people living here and the changes we're making to parking charges is another step to improve further.

"While targets and legal levels exist for air pollution, there is no safe limit. We want to reduce congestion, change behaviours and encourage more sustainable ways to travel."