Bristol: Drivers face hefty charges to travel to work under new parking plans tackling congestion

Businesses across a major region could be forced to pay up to £1,250 a year for every workplace parking space they provide under controversial plans.

Bristol City Council is considering introducing a Workplace Parking Levy, which would require employers to buy a licence for staff parking spaces at their premises.

If the scheme goes ahead, Bristol would become only the second city in the UK to introduce a workplace parking levy after Nottingham.

No final decision has been made, but councillors are developing an Outline Business Case before launching a public consultation, expected in 2026.

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The council explained the levy is aimed at cutting congestion, improving air quality and encouraging people to use public transport, cycling and walking instead of driving to work.

On its website, the council warned the city faces "significant challenges around traffic congestion, air quality, and the need for improved transport choices across the city."

The authority argued congestion is damaging the local economy because it makes it harder for local businesses to compete, creates challenges for accessing businesses, and stops people getting to work easily.

It also "slows down deliveries, which means goods take longer to reach businesses."

The authority also stated congestion "costs local businesses and the economy millions of pounds every year" and has "a significant negative impact on the environment and climate, and the health and lives of citizens."

The council said any money raised from the levy would be reinvested into transport improvements across Bristol.

According to the authority, the levy aims "to offer realistic alternatives to using private cars by delivering high-quality sustainable transport options using the revenue generated from the scheme."

Council documents suggest employers with five or more parking spaces could be required to pay the charge. The proposed fee could range from £600 to £1,250 per parking space each year, depending on where the business is located. That would amount to between £1.30 and £5.43 per working day for each parking space.

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The council is also considering exemptions or discounts for disabled parking bays, NHS sites, customer and visitor parking, fleet vehicles and some education providers.

However, business groups have criticised the proposal, warning it would place another financial burden on employers already facing rising costs.

Business West, which represents firms across Bristol and the wider region, said the levy risks making the city less attractive for businesses. Policy lead Sauri Walker told the BBC: "Bristol is already a place where the cost of doing business is much higher than other cities."

He pointed to increases in National Insurance contributions, business rates and energy bills as examples of the pressures companies are already dealing with.

Mr Walker added: "Another tax undermines the economic attractiveness and harms the employment base of the city.

"A significant proportion of Bristol's workforce still relies on driving to work, often because there is no practical alternative."

Calling for more detail on the plans, Mr Walker added that any additional costs must be accompanied by a "clear, credible plan" that demonstrates how the levy could improve the regional transport network and support the city's long-term economic prosperity.

Despite the criticism, the council insists no decision has yet been taken. The authority said it is still in the "discovery phase" of the project while it gathers evidence and develops the business case. If approved, the levy would not be introduced until 2028 or 2029 at the earliest.

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