Workplace parking levy difficult to swallow

Madam, – Is a ‘clear vision’ enough to make sure the introduction of a workplace parking levy would be accepted by most citizens?

No doubt Nottingham City Council’s head of transport strategy had thought things through before it was adopted by his local authority (Councils urged to be brave on workplace charges for parking, Courier, May 23.)

A levy of this kind can only be workable if getting to work by bus or train is comfortable, safe, timeous and within the means of most drivers.

How many Scottish cities or counties have a transport system so well integrated it makes car use seem almost anti-social? In Fife, Angus, Dundee, Edinburgh and Perth we are still along way off the situation where hopping on a bus or train for work purposes is costeffective.

Lower paid workers would be badly affected by the start of a levy, perhaps not just in financial terms.

Time is money and the longer it takes to get to and from work, the lesser is the quality of life in family and leisure terms.

Those who say that local councils would need to be brave in introducing the levy are understating the case.

In some instances it would almost be political suicide to go ahead with it.

In nearly all cases it would be shortsighted unless radical measures to improve bus, train and tram provision are introduced.

Bob Taylor.

24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.