COULD WORKPLACE PARKING CHARGES BE COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU?

Businesses and employees around the country are being warned that yet another tax will be coming their way if the Government gives the go-ahead for a controversial levy on workplace parking. Nottingham City Council has asked the Department for Transport to give it the green light to impose a Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) so that it can charge employers who provide more than 10 workplace parking spaces – in privately-owned car parks or spaces paid for in public car parks. Employers would then have to decide whether to pass on this charge to employees.

But in a high-profile national STOP the Workplace Parking Levy campaign, which is backed by the CBI and the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, businesses are warning others that if the levy goes ahead in Nottingham, their city could be next.

George Cowcher, chief executive of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber recently lobbied the Labour Conference and spoke to transport ministers about the issue. He says of the proposed WPL: “It’s clear that a precedent might be set and if it is, businesses across the country will have to dig deep in their pockets to pay the levy. Let’s make it clear – Nottingham’s so-called blueprint for future transport income generation will cost jobs and it will force businesses to rethink their situations.

“Cutting through the rhetoric, it’s a tax on jobs and competitiveness, which is unpopular both with businesses and workers alike, and comes at a time when we are seeing the worst trading conditions in decades.”

For each liable parking space, Nottingham City Council plans to charge an annual levy of £185, rising to £350 within four years of its planned implementation in 2010. The WPL’s stated purpose is to raise funds to extend Nottingham’s tram system, invest in its local bus services and redevelop its railway station.

George Cowcher added: “While not opposing investment in public transport systems, the STOP campaign would like to halt proceedings and see an inquiry and a proper business and regulatory impact assessment take place, prior to any decision being taken by the Secretary of State For Transport.”

Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce and employers from Nottingham last week took their campaign to the Labour Party Conference in Manchester, with STOP Workplace Parking Levy leaflets handed to conference delegates.

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