Glasgow has increased taxes for on-street parking in its latest budget announcement which could see hard-pressed drivers hit with higher charges.
The rise in parking fares is expected to bring in a total of £3.15million in the first year and nearly £8million across the next three years.
The money will be collected across parking permits, resident permits, parking charges and inner and outer city parking costs.
However, the official Glasgow City Council budget noted how the increase in prices may have a socioeconomic impact on those experiencing poverty.
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Glasgow City Council announced its proposed budget impacting parking costs
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The document said: “Further work to assess the level of impact on poverty will be required if this option is approved, when plans for implementation are more fully developed.
“It is noted that by increasing these pricing charges will be more aligned with Edinburgh Levels.”
The average parking prices for Glasgow city
£2.00, 1-2 hours
£4.00, 2-3 hours
£6.00 3-4 hours
£8.00, 4-5 hours
£10.50, 5-6 hours
£13.00, 6-7 hours
£15.50, 7-8 hours
£18.00, 8-9 hours
The price increases were agreed last week when Glasgow City Council announced its proposed budget document for the 2024-27 period.
As part of the budget, workplace parking levy (WPL) schemes moved closer to being introduced, with more local authorities able to access funding to implement the tax.
The levy, which has been available to Scottish councils since 2022, allows each local authority to have the power to make employers pay an annual fee to the council for parking spaces provided for employees.
The aim of the WPL is to encourage employees to use public transport, walk or cycle as much as possible and reduce the number of cars in the city and neighbouring areas.
Local authorities are able to introduce levies across their borough and can use revenues collected from the tax to support the policies in their Local Transport Strategy.
However, parking places reserved for Blue Badge holders, healthcare workers at NHS premises and parking places at hospices will be exempt from charges.
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "This was clearly a very difficult budget after many years of pressure on local government funding.
"It is vital we see improvements in public transport long before considering any further taxes on car users which place even more barriers to people want to visit our city centre.”
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The increase in prices may have a socioeconomic impact on those experiencing poverty
PA
Commenting on the budget announcement, Councillor Richard Bell said: "This budget invests in our priorities - reducing poverty and supporting communities.
"It channels extra money into tackling poverty, supporting the excellent work that Glasgow Helps and our poverty pathfinder are undertaking - and providing resources to secure the future of our vital holiday food programme, while expanding social prescribing to support health and wellbeing.”
