Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce (AGCC) has announced plans for a workplace parking levy will not be introduced in the North-east following a successful campaign.
Following publication of its business priorities manifesto last week, the chamber has secured a cross-party consensus against the introduction of a workplace parking levy (WPL) in either Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The new Holyrood legislation, widely opposed by the business community, allows local authorities to decide whether to impose an annual tax on car parking spaces provided by employers.
AGCC challenged all parties standing on 5 May to recognise that the WPL system was ill-suited to Aberdeen city and shire and that local authorities should instead focus on investment in better transport infrastructure.
The chamber has now secured confirmation from Conservative, SNP, Labour and Liberal Democrat groups in both local authorities that they are against the proposals.
AGCC’s policy adviser, Fergus Mutch, said: “While we want to see local authorities empowered to make good decisions for the communities they serve, a workplace parking levy could set business recovery back at a critical moment,” he said.
“Councils need to encourage footfall into our city and town centres, get people back safely into workplaces and give businesses the best chance of getting back into their stride.
“The North-East of Scotland is such an interdependent region — with 100-mile round trips a daily reality for work, shopping and leisure.
“The focus of policymakers should be on the much-needed upgrades to infrastructure, investment in public transport and Electric Vehicle charging points to make low carbon travel options more attractive, not demonising motorists who need to get from A to B.”
Callum McDonald, managing partner at Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace, a solicitor firm with offices in Aberdeen, Banchory, Stonehaven and Inverurie, said: “As a business with offices across the region we rely on our car parking facilities for partners, staff and clients, and we already pay substantial rates which are assessed in part because of our parking provision.
“Imposing further costs on businesses as we battle our way out of the pandemic while struggling with high inflationary cost increases is the last thing any sensible council should do, and it is refreshing to hear that all of the major parties support that view.”
Jacqueline Law, managing partner at Aberdeen Considine, which has eight offices and hundreds of staff across the North-East,said: "This is an excellent result and an extremely welcome step in the right direction.
“It is the right decision for all those who contribute to the wider economic success and prosperity in the region and all those who live and work here."
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