News / Politics
Workplace parking levy could generate millions to invest in public transport
In Nottingham, revenue generated by a workplace parking scheme helped to double the size of their tram network and fund other transport work, generating more than £44m between 2012 and 2017.
So could Bristol – a similar city in many ways to Nottingham – introduce a similar scheme?
The Green Party believe that as well as reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, a levy in Bristol could raise more than £12m each year to improve transport in the city.
is needed now More than ever
A motion being proposed at a council meeting on Tuesday calls on Bristol Council to set out a plan to develop a charge on businesses that have private employee parking and use it to fund sustainable transport projects for the city.
Lockleaze councillor David Wilcox said that the Workplace Parking Levy, also known as the Corporate Parking Levy, “will bring many benefits to Bristol commuters and residents, such as reduced commuting traffic and air pollution”.
Wilcox said: “In addition, it could provide over £12m each year for Bristol to invest in upgrading our public transport and active travel.
“This could unlock a huge range of benefits for our city – a network of safe, joined up bike lanes, cheaper and more frequent buses, in the longer term even funding to develop projects like a tram network.”
The levy would charge employers for having company parking spaces but businesses with fewer than 11 spaces could be exempt, as could spaces dedicated to electric vehicle charging and those for disabled employees.
Nottingham has a range of exemptions including one for NHS workers, and Wilcox said that any scheme in Bristol “would be able to go further if needed to ensure we protect lower-paid workers”.
Ashley councillor, Tim Wye, who is seconding the motion coming to full council, said that “at the moment, Bristol’s transport system isn’t working for anybody”.
He said: “A WPL would have a significant benefit for a minimal impact, taking cars off the roads and raising millions of pounds every year to be spent on the improvements our transport system needs to help people switch away from driving…
“We need to start working on this as soon as possible to prevent Bristol turning back the clock to traffic chaos and pollution and unlock the transport upgrades our city needs. I hope the other parties will support it.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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