Parking levy legal action debated

A possible legal challenge to parking charges for businesses in Nottingham has been discussed by business leaders.

A judicial review is one of the options being considered by the chamber of commerce after the Workplace Parking Levy was initially approved last month.

Some businesses have said the levy, which could be as much as £350 per car, could drive away employers.

But the city council said it was the best way to raise money for transport improvements like the new tram line.

Capital costs

At the end of July, the government gave conditional approval for the levy to start in 2012, as well as pledging £560m for two new tram lines.

But the Transport Select Committee criticised the consultation process for not gauging business opinion properly.

Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive George Cowcher said the consequences could be be huge.

"This is not going to be an easy scheme to administer fairly or efficiently.

"And what we are concerned about is that if companies are going to have to put almost like parking meters into their works car parks, they don't have to cope with big capital costs."

The city council said no one had suggested a better way of paying for transport infrastructure and the levy had been delayed for two years because of the recession.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version