Commuters in Bristol may soon be required to pay a £20 weekly charge to park at their city centre workplaces as the city council intensifies its efforts to reduce congestion and air pollution.
The proposed workplace parking levy is anticipated to affect approximately 9,000 employees who currently enjoy free parking at their places of employment. The levy would impose a charge on businesses that offer free staff parking, with many employers expected to pass this cost onto their employees. Exceptions to the levy are expected for disabled individuals who rely on private vehicles, hospital workers, and other specific groups.
The city council projects that this initiative could generate up to £10 million annually. The funds raised would be allocated towards enhancing public transportation infrastructure. According to a report from the council’s transport policy committee, the introduction of the levy aims both to encourage employers to manage the number of free parking places they provide and to promote the use of sustainable transport options. The report notes, ‘The parking places may have been free of charge to the employees for some time previously. The aim is also to encourage employers to manage the number of free workplace parking places that they provide, while promoting the use of sustainable transport.’
In addition to the financial benefits, the levy is expected to yield other advantages, including a reduction in car usage and an increase in alternative modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, and public transport. This shift is anticipated to lead to improvements in both public health and environmental conditions. Essentially, workplaces with parking spots would face an annual charge per parking place, with the decision on whether or not to pass this cost onto employees resting with the employers.
The workplace parking levy was included in the Green Party’s manifesto for the local elections held in May. A comparable charge introduced in Nottingham in 2012 has successfully raised £83 million for public transport improvements, including upgrades to the city’s tram network.
The council’s report highlights that season tickets for council-owned multi-storey car parks currently cost between £54 and £72 per week. In contrast, an annual First Bus Bristol Zone pass costs £841, translating to approximately £16 per week.
The proposed workplace parking levy in Bristol seeks to address congestion and pollution while generating funds to improve public transport options. The initiative, impacting roughly 9,000 employees, could be operational within three years if approved by the transport policy committee.