A short thread on the deeply, deeply frustrating misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Workplace Parking Levies in the past couple of days. 1/10
Firstly, WPLs are a tax on *businesses*. Yes, businesses could pass on the tax to employers if they wanted to, but that's not what the tax is designed for. If businesses pass on the tax to employers, that's their own decision and no one else's. 2/10
"People won't change their habits and will just pay".
False. The number of chargeable workplace parking spaces fell by 25% between 2010 and 2015. Public transport use increased following the introduction of WPLs. 3/10
False. The number of chargeable workplace parking spaces fell by 25% between 2010 and 2015. Public transport use increased following the introduction of WPLs. 3/10
"This will hit businesses hard."
There is no evidence for this claim. In Nottingham, no negative economic impact has been seen. Threats of relocation from some businesses were not acted upon. Some major employers did move -- they moved closer to good public transport links. 4/10
There is no evidence for this claim. In Nottingham, no negative economic impact has been seen. Threats of relocation from some businesses were not acted upon. Some major employers did move -- they moved closer to good public transport links. 4/10
"Small businesses will suffer."
In Nottingham, businesses with fewer than 10 parking spaces were exempt from paying any Levy. 5/10
In Nottingham, businesses with fewer than 10 parking spaces were exempt from paying any Levy. 5/10
"If you want people to get out of their cars, make public transport better!"
The biggest problem facing buses is slow journey times -- caused by congestion from cars. You can't have faster buses in cities without fewer cars. Improvements are needed though, so what can we do? 6/10
The biggest problem facing buses is slow journey times -- caused by congestion from cars. You can't have faster buses in cities without fewer cars. Improvements are needed though, so what can we do? 6/10
If only there was a tax which could fund public transport improvements to make buses and trams faster, more frequent and less polluting. Good news! WPLs ring-fence money and invest it all back into public transport. Nottingham has raised over *£50 million* in 6 years 7/10
"This is another unfair tax on cars."
The price of using buses and trains has exploded in past decades, whilst the cost of driving has fallen. The cost of driving a car does not reflect its impact on congestion, air pollution, carbon emissions, ill health, accidents, etc etc 8/10
The price of using buses and trains has exploded in past decades, whilst the cost of driving has fallen. The cost of driving a car does not reflect its impact on congestion, air pollution, carbon emissions, ill health, accidents, etc etc 8/10
"Teachers will be forced to quit if you make them pay this tax."
It is highly unlikely that councils would make teachers pay this tax. There's a good argument for excluding schools from this scheme. Or it could apply only to schools within the centre of the city. 9/10
It is highly unlikely that councils would make teachers pay this tax. There's a good argument for excluding schools from this scheme. Or it could apply only to schools within the centre of the city. 9/10
WPLs aren't a silver bullet to congestion/air pollution/public transport use, but if supported by other policies and done in the right way, they can be a very useful measure. 10/10
(These numbers refer to Nottingham's WPL scheme)
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