MORE than 100 free parking permits have been issued for low-emission vehicles across Gloucestershire.

The move to give free residents' parking permits to all owners of 'Car Tax Band A' vehicles(notably electric cars) has been operating for more than a year now.

The offer applies for the first permit only.

It was proposed by the Liberal Democrats in February last year.  Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, Cllr Iain Dobie was delighted by the news: "We are extremely pleased that our initiative to encourage take-up of non-polluting cars in the county has benefitted over 100 people who are now in receipt of a free parking permit.

“Three-quarters of those with a free parking permit reside in Cheltenham, which also bodes very well for our ‘Clean Air Cheltenham’ campaign launched last month and aims to cut pollution in the town.

“I am aware that the permit scheme has run for the last two financial years now and will be subject to review in 2018.

"The very fact that the number of permits issued has reached triple figures shows it has been a success and people are choosing to drive a low-emission vehicle.   “I strongly believe the County Council has an important role to play in tacking air-pollution across Gloucestershire.

"Encouraging ownership of low-emission vehicles by providing free permits at a very minimal cost surely must be seen as a good thing.

“I would certainly like to see this permit scheme continue over the life of this Council and beyond 2021.”