Andy D'Agorne

Workplace parking charging has been proposed by Nottingham City Council from 2010  - Under the system permitted by the Transport Act 2000 the council would require all employers in the city (except emergency services and medical centres) to register if they have more than 10 parking spaces for employees. An annual charge of £185pa per space would be payable and this would gradually increase to over £300 by 2016 PLUS uprating for inflation on top. For full details see http://open.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/comm/download3.asp?dltype=inline&filename=33020/WPLapp1.pdf The funds from the levy would go towards improvements to Nottingham's tram system. Congestion charging will take longer to implement - they think 2016 in Nottingham. The beauty of this system is that it targets commuters rather than other road users such as visitors, shoppers etc and is most appropriate in places with a buoyant local economy, high wage levels and a good public transport network in need of enhancement or public subsidy. By exempting the smallest car parks it keeps to admin costs down and protects small new businesses. 

My only reservation for this system would be the risk of tipping the more footloose employers into relocating - there might have to be provision to negotiate with key major local employers or have a transitional arrangement whereby the largest employers pay a lump sum in the first year, less than the per space charge. It is of course open to employers (and the scheme intention) to pass on the cost directly to the employees driving to work, but there could be a win- win solution if the employer offered discounted travel passes for those giving up their space - removing the spaces could give the option for expansion of the business or landscaping. The scheme does of course also depend on the existence of on road parking restrictions or respark schemes around the businesses to prevent problems of empty car parks and cluttered side streets. Its certainly something York and the 'Leeds City Region' of which we are a part should be watching closely.