Rented driveways a cost-effective alternative to proposed workplace parking levy

Commuters facing the possibility of additional yearly charges for workplace parking following new legislation could turn to cheaper rented driveway alternatives via the online parking portal YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

This is the result of the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL), a charge on employers who provide 11 or more workplace parking places. However, because it is at the employer’s discretion as to whether they absorb the charge or not, it may result in the employee picking up the bill.

Nottingham is currently the only city in the UK to have imposed the controversial policy, at a rate of £415 per parking space per year. However, with individual councils in Scotland now given the green light to decide whether they want to impose a levy, many households will now fear that town halls south of the border will soon follow suit.

Leicester, Reading, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cambridge and Bristol, together with Hounslow and Camden in London, have all confirmed that a WPL is under consideration. However, in the event of a parking levy being introduced more widely, YourParkingSpace is expecting many shrewd motorists to look for alternatives, with parking on rented driveways a cost-effective option.

Harrison Woods, CEO at YourParkingSpace.co.uk, commented: “As the cost-of-living continues to soar, the news that commuters could have to pay to park at their workplace is yet another cause of financial anxiety. However, they can be reassured that alternative parking arrangements are available, meaning driving to work isn’t necessarily more expensive than it needs to be.”

Meanwhile, homeowners also have the chance to benefit financially from a prospective workplace parking levy, as driveways located close to office spaces may well prove to be popular for commuters looking for somewhere alternative to park.

Harrison added: “Our booking data shows that driveways listed near office locations can be a serious money-spinner for homeowners. In fact, on average, homeowners listing on YourParkingSpace made £892 in 2021 and a combined total of £26m.”

For more information about listing a driveway, garage or off-street parking space, or pre-booking a parking space, visit www.yourparkingspace.co.uk.