Businesses have less than a week to take part in a consultation into bringing a workplace parking levy into Leicester.
Plans being considered by the city council would see most employers with more than 10 spaces pay £550 per space per year.
Between 450 and 600 larger businesses across the city would be affected and the council says income from the scheme would help fund a “radical overhaul and long-term modernisation” of the city’s public transport, cycling and walking networks.
The council says changes are needed to cut congestion and meet tough climate and air quality targets set by both the Government and the city council itself
It also wants to invest in sustainable transport for new housing developments currently being built or proposed.
A 12-week public consultation runs until this Sunday, March 13, giving residents, workers and employers the chance to find out more and comment.
Coun Adam Clarke is the Leicester deputy city mayor responsible for transport and the environment.
He said as well as cutting pollution and greenhouse gases, big changes were needed to reduce the pressures on Leicester’s roads expected with predicted city growth over the next 10 to 15 years.
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He said: “Income from a levy would directly fund measures which are vital as we strive to achieve net zero, reduce life-limiting poor air quality and minimise costly congestion.
“We have produced a short film, setting out our vision and how a WPL could help us to achieve it.
“Nottingham City Council has been operating a very similar WPL for the last 10 years or so, and they are sharing their experience and expertise with us.
“We’ve gathered evidence of how the charge has been levied fairly and designed a scheme intended to widen opportunity to all, including the many people in the city who cannot afford a car.
“We need to radically extend, enhance and electrify public transport if people are to be persuaded to leave their cars at home, leaving those that still need to use their cars and vans with less congestion, saving them both time and money.
“We have no fixed timetable proposed for the introduction of any levy, which would need to be sensitive to wider economic circumstances.
“We know that there are other concerns and of course need to reflect on any potential unintended consequences.
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“We need to hear from people across the city to know their concerns as well as what they would want from such a scheme, and how to make it work as best as it can for Leicester.”
The council says the high number of small businesses in Leicester means that around nine out of 10 would be too small to have to pay, while companies affected could cut reduce their spaces and decide if and how they wanted to pass charges onto staff.
The council says annual income from a scheme would be around £95 million over the first 10 years, which could enable it to match-fund with other grants to invest up to £450 million.
A council spokesman said: “It would mean the council could plan for long-term transport investment rather than just relying on uncertain Government funds.
“The workplace levy is designed to encourage people who travel into the city regularly for work to use alternatives to cars for their daily commute, while financing the improvements needed to ensure the city’s public transport, cycling and walking networks provide realistic alternatives to car travel.”
The council said transport priorities which a workplace levy would help fund include:
- More than 400 “high-quality electric tram-like buses” by 2030
- New bus services on the outer ring road and free bus travel on a city centre loop
- Giving buses priority on key routes with tickets which can be used across different services and real-time bus information
- Affordable bus fares with discounts for elderly, disabled, young and unemployed people and a “best-fare” guarantee
- More cycleways
- Investment in the railway station building on £22 million recently secured
A workplace levy would require government approval, and could start in early 2023.
To comments visit choosehowyoumove.co.uk.
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