Tories won't oppose workplace parking levy
NOTTINGHAM'S workplace parking levy will go ahead regardless of whether the Tories or Labour win power at the General Election.
The Evening Post can today reveal details of an unpublished Conservative Party election manifesto which says they will not undo Labour's decision to charge motorists to park at work in the city.
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The Tories were previously opposed to the levy.
A Conservative source said: "Given that the scheme in Nottingham has already been approved and is scheduled to start, we do not intend to undo that retrospectively."
The manifesto also states the party will not change the law to stop workplace parking levies being introduced in other towns and cities.
Tory leader David Cameron called for the Nottingham scheme to be scrapped in a parliamentary petition in December.
His move came after shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said the Conservatives were opposed to the levy, but refused to give any commitment they would scrap it, leaving a number of unanswered questions.
The Tory election manifesto will state: "If we are elected, of course, we will continue to listen to the concerns of Nottingham residents about the scheme and consider its impact.
"However, a considerable amount of work has been done on the project. If Nottingham ultimately chooses to go ahead with the project it will be a decision for them.
"We have not made a commitment to block the scheme if the city chooses to take it forward. Neither have we made a commitment to replace the legislation on workplace parking levies."
Business leaders opposed to the levy had pinned hopes of escaping the tax on a Conservative victory at the election.
John Dowson, head of policy at the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce said: "It would be extremely disappointing if this is the approach being adopted.
"David Cameron and the transport team have at least objected to the order that allows levy schemes, but if the party's position is that they'll let Nottingham's go ahead, that would be a let-down.
"This will put us at a disadvantage, if there are additional taxes in Nottingham on top of the costs of employment legislation coming in over the next four to five years."
Mr Dowson said local authorities outside Nottingham were already trying to tempt business to move away from the city.
Mansfield District Council had published an advertisement which cited the fact that it had no such levy, Mr Dowson said.
Nottingham City Council plans to starting charging the levy from April 2012. Firms with 11 or more parking spaces will have to pay from £253 per space per year.
The money will help pay for Nottingham's tram extensions, the railway station redevelopment and to maintain the Link Bus network.
City council deputy leader Graham Chapman said: "I'm delighted the Conservatives have seen the benefits of this policy – it's a very mature approach they are taking.
"The city needs transport investment and there is no other way of funding it apart from road tolls, which are not appropriate for Nottingham."
Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson, a staunch supporter of the levy and tram extension, said it was a "hugely significant step" by the Tories.
"When I heard this I breathed a huge sigh of relief," he said.
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by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 2:04PM
“If you could read:
You wouldn't be laughing now!
.”
by David Litchfield, proud to have been called moron by "Mr BJ Mann"
Friday, February 12 2010, 1:39PM
“Ha ha ha ha ha.”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Thursday, February 11 2010, 10:33PM
“For those with even shorter memories than Mr Moron Mk II:
He claimed that whilst Clifton North and South were in Nottingham:
I was lying about survey results in Nottingham for Clifton East and West because Clifton East and West are (only) in Bristol.
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OK Mr Moron Mk II:
How far does Net Phse 2 run?
Because an official *NOTTINGHAM* NET Phase 2 document refers to:
Wards affected: Bridge, Clifton East and West, Wilford
That's *NOTTINGHAMS*
"NET Phase 2 route between *Nottingham* Station and Clifton via Wilford"
*Not* via Bristol!
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Now go away you *stupid* boy!
.
And just accept that some people actually only post when they know what they are talking about.
Whereas MORONS like you and Mr Stupid only post because they haven't actually got a clue!
.”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Thursday, February 11 2010, 10:01PM
“If you had half a brain you would have double checked the first time I pointed it out to you.
Realised your big boo-boo.
And shut up.
.
But because you're as thick as Mr Stupid:
You just keep on repeating the same assumption as fact.
.”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Thursday, February 11 2010, 9:57PM
“Yes, Mr Stupid's even nmore moronic mate.
But the report *YOU* claimed to be referring to wasn't using the "Nottingham city ward map (that) is readily available on the City Council website".
It was using a different map.
And therefore the areas it was referring to included names that weren't on that map.
But *were* on the map that *it* referred to.
Which is why I referred to the same areas.
Unlike you, who referred to a map that had nothing to do with the report you were trying to use as your "authority".
And continued to do so despite the fact that your error was pointed out over and over again.
.
That defect in your "reasoning" "ability" explains why you always think you're right and I'm wrong.
And why it's actually me who is right and you who is wrong.
.
Unlike you, I've looked at both maps.
And I actually know what I'm talking about.
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You, however, just *assumed* that I must be looking at a set of figures for Bristol, or wherever it was, when I *knew* it was a table for an area of Nottingham (the clue is in the name of the city), confirmed by the map showing its location (in Nottingham, and *NOT* Bristol).
But you feel free to continue believing that your assumption " *MUST* " be correct.
Because you just "know" you're always right, and I'm always wrong.
.”
by David Litchfield, proud to have been called stupid by "Mr BJ Mann"
Thursday, February 11 2010, 7:32PM
“The Nottingham city ward map is readily available on the City Council website, "Mr B J Mann, Nottingham".
Oh, oh, and if you're going to call me Dave, can I call you Bog?”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Thursday, February 11 2010, 1:06PM
“Thank you for your "contribution" to this debate, Dave.
Did you ever eventually see the maps you insisted on describing despite never had sight of as you "contribution" to that other "debate"?
.”
by David Litchfield, proud to have been called dopey by "Mr BJ Mann"
Thursday, February 11 2010, 9:16AM
“In his 23rd post on this thread, "Mr B J Mann, Nottingham" accuses ME of dragging a debate out to hundreds of posts. Ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 8:23PM
“Jamalam, you shouldn't be too hard on them, I think both George "Not HIS Real Name" Painter and Mr Stupid are, if not bedridden, at least housebound.
George claims he used to drive.
In fact he claims he used to drive an ambulance when he wasn't driving a tram.
But now he's got nothing else to do with his time than drive people round the bend.
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Poor Mr Stupid relies on traffic reports and Socialist Blog Sites to keep in touch with what he calls the "Real World", though he's never learned to drive, and I don't think he's even ever left home, so he probably has no idea what the real world is actually like. He can't even imagine what difference it would make to traffic flow to provide a second lane to bypass roadsweepers, gritters, milk floats, ever stopping buses, doddery octogenarians and George when he used to drive: he's convinced that the extra lane will only provide the same capacity as the original blocked lane!!!!!!!
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And, of course, there aren't just the two of them, though their playmates have been strangely quiet on this thread.
There's Javid, who has an obsession with beds only matched by his love of our glorious leader (who, he was convinced, was going to have a statue erected in his honour in Wollaton Park).
And, of course, "Dave" who could drag a "debate" out to hundreds of posts because he apparently "knows" what is and isn't on any particular map of Nottingham you are looking at, despite never having seen it!
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Or are you saying the were actually Mr Stupid and George all along?!?!?
.”
by Jamalam, Wessie B
Wednesday, February 10 2010, 5:35PM
“Love it how this site is dominated by two over opinionated gentlemen who clearly have too much free time and think that the rest of the users on this site value their egoscentric opinions so much that they dominate every single post on here!
Grow up guys... maybe go outside a bit, step away from the pc, your rants are just so far beyond boring... and lets face it, there are far more exciting things to spend all your free time on than this website?!? no!?!”