Reading workplace parking levy proposed by Green Party

A work place parking scheme has been put in place in Nottingham.

A levy on workplace car parking is being looked into by Reading council, in the hopes it could reduce the town's congestion and pollution.

The proposal to charge firms a fee per employee car parking space has been cricitised as an "unfair tax" on businesses by one councillor.

But Reading Borough Council said it would look into the cost of replicating a similar scheme in Nottingham.

Oxford set aside £100,000 to look into a similar proposal last year.

'Beggared belief'

Reading's Green Party, which put forward the motion, said money from the scheme could be invested in sustainable transport for the town.

However, Conservative councillor Simon Robinson, said the proposal "beggared belief" and said it was an "unfair tax on businesses and on hard working people".

Labour's Tony Page said a better way of reducing pollution would be a low-emission zone for Reading, which could generate revenue to pay for a third bridge.

Nottingham City Council said it spent the proceeds from the levy on expanding the tram network.

Officers at Reading will now work out how much it would cost to implement the scheme as well as looking at exemptions for small businesses, charities and NHS organisations.