Politics

Sadiq Khan Leak Reveals Secret Plan That Could Spell the End of Free Parking in London

Published on July 15, 2025

Drivers in the capital might want to brace themselves because it looks like Sir Sadiq Khan could be coming for their parking spaces. Over the weekend, a leaked Transport for London (TfL) document caused a stir after being snapped on a Tube train, revealing a raft of new anti-car proposals – and the reaction has been fierce.

The confidential document, reportedly spotted on the lap of someone believed to be a local government official, laid out a range of ideas that could significantly cut back on car use across London. Among the most controversial points were plans to expand controlled parking zones, hike up the cost of parking permits, and scrap parking spaces altogether in some areas.

According to The Mail on Sunday, the document was photographed on 3 June while being read on the London Underground. Certain sections had been highlighted in bold yellow and orange, suggesting they were a priority for at least one official. One line mentioned the possible “reallocation of car parking to other modes”, hinting that some current parking areas could be given over to cycling infrastructure or pedestrian zones.

And it didn’t stop there. The form also called for a “reallocation of general traffic lanes to other modes”, meaning more space for buses and bikes and less for regular vehicles. It mentioned strengthening and expanding parking zones and even floated the idea of bringing in emissions-based charges. That could mean drivers of higher-emission vehicles end up paying more just to park in their own neighbourhoods.

There was also a nod to changes in speed limits, suggesting that stricter rules could soon appear in more boroughs, continuing the recent trend of reduced limits in central and suburban areas.

AA President Edmund King didn’t hold back, warning that this could be devastating for drivers. Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, he said, “We’ve already seen an onslaught on drivers in London and Jack’s list seems to be the final nail in the coffin. If parking spaces are removed, what are Londoners to do?”

Unsurprisingly, the reaction from TfL was a bit more measured. Officials there tried to downplay the leak, claiming the document was just a list of “potential tools” and not part of any active plan. They added that it wasn’t linked to the official London Plan or any current policy moves, insisting that the suggestions were simply options for boroughs to consider if they wanted to improve their transport infrastructure.

A TfL spokesperson said, “This is nothing to do with the London Plan or its policy development, and the document is not being used by TfL to inform transport policy. It is simply a list of potential tools that boroughs may consider using to improve transport infrastructure and schemes.”

Still, for many drivers already facing ULEZ charges and congestion fees, this latest development feels like another squeeze. Whether the ideas in the leaked document become reality or not, the direction of travel seems pretty clear – fewer cars, more bikes, and a lot less space for parking.

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