Workplace parking levy warning

THE reality of a workplace parking levy in the region has taken one step further following news that Nottingham is to introduce one in 2012.

Under the scheme firms with more than 11 or more staff parking spaces will be charged £250 a year for each – the cost of which could rise to £350 within two years.

Each company will be free to decide if this will be passed on to their staff.

An estimated 40,000 commiters in Nottingham drive to work and some businesses have threatened to leave the area if the scheme comes into force.

Around 10 million people are thought to drive to work every day.

Other councils considering the charge include Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham.

However, adovocates of remote working believe that the scheme will encourage firms to adopt flexible working policies.

Ken Sheridan, co-founder of Remote Employment said that although the Government initiative will help cut urban traffic and carbon emissions he questions its timing.

“With so many jobs under threat, introducing a workplace parking levy will hinder business growth,” he said.

“We would like to see the government and local councils take an imaginative approach to offering financial incentives for home working. This would provide another means of reducing congestion and a company’s carbon footprint.”

Mr Sheridan added that he would like to see local authorities work with the labour market to implement anti-congestion initiative such as car share, park and rise, bicycle loans as well as remote working or working from home.

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