Friday 31 July 2009

£250 To Park At Work?

The report in the Daily Telegraph that companies with more than 10 parking places would have to pay £250 for each space initially made me check the diary to ensure today was not 1st April.

Of the councils reported to be 'interested', locally it is not surprising to see Oxford listed, this council being run by Greens and Liberal Democrats.

Needless to say the environmenalists are jumping on this bandwagon with Richard Hebditch, Campaign for Better Transport, to the fore who is quoted as saying that the levy would raise money to invest in transport improvements and also that it had the added benefit of tackling unnecessary commuter journeys, one of the main causes of congestion.

Firstly, Mr Hebditch, any additional taxes raised will no doubt, especially if the present government remains in office, go to fund this type of nonsense, regardless of what a DfT spokesman may say. Secondly, what is a journey to work by car if not a necessary commuter journey?

Lastly, what about stores such as Tesco and their like, where they may well have 20/30/40 employees all coming to work by car, as they work shifts? And companies are going to absorb these additional 'costs'?

The mind boggles that anyone with a brain could even begin to think such a scheme worthwhile, coupled with anyone or any body (Hebditch and Oxford City Council) could even welcome it.

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