Workplace Parking Levy (WPL)
Answers to some of the questions on the WPL
What is the WPL?
The WPL would be a charge on employers for each parking space provided for employees. Nottingham is set to be the first UK city to introduce such a levy in 2012; we believe that Exeter should be the second. The Nottingham City Council website provides a useful Q&A section on WPL: http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2566
What are the advantages?
A WPL would have enormous environmental, social and economic benefits. It would help reduce traffic congestion in Exeter - a huge benefit to businesses - by encouraging car sharing and modal shift to public transport; it would reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, helping transform Exeter into a healthier, low carbon city. It will encourage more employees to walk or cycle to work improving the health of the workforce in Exeter. The other main reason for a WPL is to generate much needed funds for sustainable transport solutions such as subsidised bus fares for children and families; improving the city’s cycle network and rolling out 20mph zones to all areas of Exeter. However, given the massive spending cuts threatened by the Conservative-Lib Dem government, the Green Party believes that the levy might also be needed to provide a ‘cushion’ against cuts to essential services.
Why are other political Parties not embracing the idea?
Other political Parties in Exeter have shied away from the idea of WPL, following much heated debate on the subject locally over the last year. They all seem to believe it is politically too sensitive to introduce. However, given the enormous environmental, social and economic benefits of such a levy, the Green Party believes that it is just the sort of bold revenue raising measure that is needed at the current time to fund sustainable transport initiatives and prevent cuts in services.
Who pays?
The WPL would only apply to businesses offering more than a certain number of parking spaces (this figure is set at 10 in Nottingham); it is not a direct charge on employees. It is therefore up to the employer to decide how to administer the levy. They could reduce their parking provision to below the threshold and avoid the levy all together or minimise their parking provision. There is therefore an incentive for employers to promote green travel plans, encouraging more employees to walk or cycle to work or car share and/or use public transport.
Why not congestion charge instead?
The WPL has great advantages over other measures such as a congestion charge or Road User Charge (RUC). It is much less expensive, is not reliant on sophisticated technology and can be implemented relatively quickly. A RUC affects everyone whilst WPL is targeted at commuter traffic – one of the principle causes of congestion in Exeter.