Birmingham council will launch proposals to raise additional annual income of £20m through parking fees at a closed meeting on Wednesday.
At the meeting, part of the council’s consultation on a five-year transport plan, business and community representatives will hear its plans to levy a daily rate of £1 per space on the city’s 50,000 workplace parking spaces. The money is likely to go towards extending the Metro Line between Snow Hill Station and Five Ways.
However, some councillors fear that if neighbouring councils fail to impose similar charges, business and investment will relocate beyond Birmingham’s borders. Chair of the Transport Committee, Cllr John Chatman, said: “We are committed to proceed only if there is a good measure of support from the community and there is a co-ordinated effort with the local authorities throughout the conurbation.”
FPDSavills director Nick Williams said: “There is a limit to how much businesses can pay before it undermines the local economy. Car parking charges would amount to a third tax on local business in addition to rates and existing commuted payments on development.”
EGi News 18/05/99
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