COUNCIL chiefs believe a charge on employers who provide parking for staff would help to manage congestion and boost economic growth.

Proposals to bring in a workplace levy have been included in the draft local transport plan, LTP4.

Although it is a charge on companies who provide the parking, firms can opt to pass on costs to staff.

The council says a workplace levy is key to funding a mass transit system and claims it is ‘unlikely’ that such a public transport system can be funded from traditional sources.

An outline feasibility study has estimated that a workplace levy could contribute £4.8 million per year for investment into sustainable transport in Warrington.

It is proposed to further investigate the potential implementation of the scheme, with a council spokesman saying the authority does not currently have any confirmed proposals.

He said: “The underlying aim of a workplace parking levy is to facilitate enhanced economic growth and increased public wellbeing by managing congestion, improving accessibility to urban centres and encouraging a shift towards healthier and cleaner modes of travel.

“It was therefore included as an option within the draft LTP4 to support the long-term transformation in the way we travel in Warrington.

“If approved, LTP4 would propose a more detailed study to investigate a workplace charging levy and how it might or might not work for Warrington, including area of coverage and charging levels.”

While aiming to provide residents with further information over a workplace levy, the council has pointed to the system operating in Nottingham.

Employers in the city that provide 11 or more car parking spaces are subject to an annual charge of £415.

“The current charges applied in Nottingham were provided in the draft LTP4 as background context and a guide to the only working scheme in the UK,” added the spokesman.