Cardiff Council cabinet set to reject congestion charges

Cardiff Council’s cabinet has announced it does not back a congestion charge for the city.

Instead it favours a workplace parking levy to help improve bus services.

A workplace parking levy is a charge to certain businesses for parking spaces on their premises.

The council would use the money raised to improve bus services and to make them more affordable.  

The council has looked at cities like Nottingham which have successfully introduced a workplace parking levy.

In Nottingham's case, it involves an annual charge on parking spaces on business premises in the city.

It mainly applies to larger businesses and organisations, with many smaller businesses and places like hospitals exempt. Other cities, such as Bristol, are also exploring this approach.

Subject to cabinet’s approval of the report when it meets on Thursday (16 July), there will be a consultation this summer with residents and businesses to assess the best approach.

While a workplace parking levy is recommended as the preferred option to explore, the option of a congestion charge, alongside a ‘do-nothing’ option, will also be included in the consultation.

Dan De’Ath, the council's cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, said: “Creating a high-quality public transport system to support economic growth in Cardiff is important to the city’s future and this has been set out in our 10-year transport strategy.

“Cardiff already has the highest level of car ownership of any UK core city, and that is putting increasing pressure on our road network. Without action, congestion will worsen, affecting journey times, air quality and the city’s ability to grow, thrive and develop.

“The public have told us their priority is a much cheaper, more convenient and reliable bus service.

“Any scheme developed for Cardiff would be designed with fairness in mind, including exemptions and support for essential users. However, without introducing something like this we will never be able to afford the public transport network that residents deserve.”

The cabinet will meet on Thursday to consider the recommendations in the Road User Payment Scheme Outline Business Case report, and a webcast of that meeting will be available to watch on the day here.