(1888PressRelease)
December 18, 2008 - A government proposal to charge businesses for providing car parking spaces to employees has met with criticism from motoring groups and the business community.
The proposed scheme, which is seen as a potential alternative to congestion charging, would involve charging businesses or motorists an annual fee of up to £350 for the use of parking spaces provided by employers.
The plan is seen as a new option for politicians to increase tax income from motorists, in the light of the West London congestion charge being scrapped as well as the rejection of the proposal to introduce a congestion charge in Greater Manchester. Ministers claim that the new parking charge could help cut down on congestion in city centres by penalising commuters who drive to work. The Department of Transport said that "The principal aim of the levy is to provide an incentive to employers and educational establishments to discourage car commuting and use alternative modes of transport including car-sharing."
But those against the plan say that a new charge for parking will simply make things harder for motorists who have little choice but to drive, and would be particularly unwelcome in the current economic climate. While the charge would serve to increase revenues for local councils, it would be at the expense of local businesses and workers whose interests should be served and safeguarded by those very councils.
The president of the AA, Edmund King, said, "Many employees who work shifts or take their children to school have to drive - the workplace parking levy will place an unfair burden on people just trying to go about their daily lives."
Concurring with this view, BBC director-general David Frost said, “The WPL [Workplace Parking Levy] is purely a means to generate more funds for councils at the expense of local companies and their ability to compete. The government must recognise the financial burden businesses are already under and rule out any possibility of councils taking up the scheme.”
The British Chamber of Commerce also criticised the plan as simply a “stealth tax on business”.
Nottingham Council is the first to propose introducing the scheme, which would come into force in April 2010 if approved.
As regulations and additional charges for cars become more burdensome – on top of existing parking restrictions and the threat of fines and clamping – drivers may find the option of private parking contracts an increasingly attractive proposition. Such contracts, provided by companies like 24 7, offer convenient, secure and cost-effective parking solutions for both individual motorists and businesses.
For press enquiries, please contact Peter Cooper on 020 7183 7247
Email: info ( @ ) 247parking dot com
Web: www.247parking.com
News provided by 24 7 Parking Ltd, a leading marketing services provider to the car parking industry in the UK, and a leading de facto marketplace for buyers and sellers, or lessees and lessors, of car parking spaces.
24 7 Parking carries out daily surveys of the national media to provide up-to-date news and commentary on UK transport.
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