Parking Levy Bid Backed by Government
WPL Workplace Parking Levy
Nottingham council sought approval to levy a workplace car park tax. Money raised is to go towards redevelopment within the City Centre and surrounding area through improvements in the railway station and two new tram lines.
How much?
The council aim to raise £67 million pounds through the charges to add towards a government grant to raise £530 million pounds. Subject to conditional approval, the new charge will be from April 2012.
The railway station work is due to start in 2010. The project will see a new concourse with better links to the tram and a new multi-storey car park.
Who is affected?
Business licenses will be required for the workplace parking levy (WPL) from October 2011. Applying to businesses which have more than 10 employee parking spaces; figures suggest that 70 to 80% of businesses will be exempt from the charge although they will still need to get a licence.
Congestion
Congestion in city and town centres causes more problems than just environmental pollution. The council suggest that improvements made as a result of the WPL will reduce the congestion considerably.
Bike to work
Although it is not practical for all employees to ride a bike to work, for many it is much easier to walk or ride than sit in traffic. Many people take longer going to work by car than it would take to walk or ride. Of course there are health benefits as well.
Several companies are now encouraging their staff to go to work on bicycles by giving money off vouchers and other incentives. Congestion charge; park and ride; parking permits and other initiatives have been seen as extra income for councils.
