Transport chiefs say a workplace parking levy is still on the cards but plans to introduce a congestion charge in Hereford have been “pretty much” ruled out.
A workplace parking levy is a charge on employers who provide workplace parking.
Employers are responsible for paying the charge but they can choose to reclaim part or all of the cost of from their employees.
Environmental campaigners say it helps reduce congestion and air pollution by encouraging motorists to walk, cycle or take public transport to work, as well as raising money for local services.
But opponents are sceptical about whether people would really will choose to ditch their cars and say it hurts business and hits workers in the pocket.
Infrastructure and transport cabinet member John Harrington responded to questions about workplace parking levies during last night’s (December 4) cabinet meeting that debated the Hereford transport strategy review.
This review, which was commissioned by Herefordshire Council after work on the western bypass and southern link road was paused last year, set out the future options for transport in Hereford.
Conservative deputy group leader Nigel Shaw asked for clarity over the proposed “demand management” measures which feature in some of the options.
He asked: “To be clear, can you confirm that this administration has not ruled out congestion charging, and that a workplace parking levy will also be considered in Hereford?”
Coun Harrington said no decisions have been made by cabinet about which measures would be taken forward.
“I can confirm that we have pretty much ruled out congestion charges but we haven’t ruled out a workplace parking levy,” he said.
“In fact, both of those elements factor very heavily in the packages for the western bypass.”
Other local authorities such as Nottingham City Council have introduced a workplace parking levy.
Their model sees employers who provide more than 10 parking spaces for their staff pay around £415 every year to the council for each space – this increases each year in line with inflation.
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