A series of workplace parking levy schemes could be introduced across London to improve air quality in the capital.

Nottingham is the only UK city currently operating a workplace parking levy after it was introduced in April, 2012.

Businesses with 11 parking spaces or more must obtain a workplace licence and pay an annual charge of £362 per space.

Other cities have considered charging employers, but have lacked the appetite to introduce a scheme.

However, the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have suggested that a workplace parking levy could cut harmful emissions in the capital.

The Transport Emissions Roadmap suggests that the principles of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) could be applied to other areas in the capital.

They would be called Low Emission Neighbourhoods (LENs), which would be targeted in local hotspot areas of poor air quality.

The report said: “In order to become a LEN, a number of measures would need to be adopted for an area, from a package supported by us, through to advice and incentives.”

Measures, it said, could include a ‘green’ fleet scheme, preferential parking for low emission vehicles, an anti-idling campaign and a workplace parking levy.

However, it warned that care would need to be taken to ensure the scheme does not simply displace traffic on to surrounding roads, creating problems in other areas.

TfL and the Mayor estimate that LENs could provide up to a 1% reduction on the overall reduction in London-wide emissions. (Source: Fleet News)