Chamber disappointed by Tories’ apparent U-turn on WPL

Reports in today's media suggest that the Conservative Party has baulked in its opposition to the controversial Workplace Parking Levy scheme in Nottingham.

Details have emerged of an unpublished Conservative Party election manifesto which says the party will not undo Labour's decision to charge motorists to park at work in the city, despite having been previously opposed to the levy.

The manifesto also states the party will not change the law to stop workplace parking levies being introduced in other towns and cities. Yet in a Parliamentary petition last December, Tory leader David Cameron called for the Nottingham scheme to be scrapped.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Given that Conservative leader David Cameron and his transport team have publicly declared their opposition to the proposed Workplace Parking Levy in Nottingham, this apparent U-turn is extremely disappointing. The Chamber had hoped that the party would stick to its guns and overturn both the Nottingham scheme and the legislation that sits behind it if it gets into power at the next election.  

"At a time when unemployment is at high levels, the economy is barely limping towards recovery and businesses face unprecedented levels of employment burdens, the introduction of such an ill-conceived policy will further damage the competitiveness of Nottingham businesses, reduce investment in the city and cost jobs.

"Neighbouring areas are already marketing themselves as an attractive place to relocate to because they will be free from a Workplace Parking Levy. This places Nottingham at an extreme disadvantage at a time when city leaders should be looking to drive economic growth in the business sector, not stifle it."


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