CLAIMS motorists in York could be forced to pay to park their cars at work have been rubbished by the city’s transport bosses.

Reports in national newspapers yesterday highlighted City of York Council as one of a number of local authorities across the UK, allegedly considering introducing a “workplace levy” for people who use their vehicles for their job.

It was claimed this could cost drivers or employers several hundred pounds a year.

However, the idea of introducing road charging systems has already been rejected in York following a public consultation earlier this year.

Coun Dave Merrett, who chaired the group, said: “I don’t know where the national press has got this idea from.

“The use of pricing mechanisms, either congestion charging or private car-park charging, was not York residents’ preferred option and was not supported either by the all-party scrutiny committee or the council’s executive at this point in time.”

‘Parking-at-work’ charges claim rubbished by city politicians Coun Steve Galloway, the authority’s executive member for city strategy, said: “We have no intention of introducing workplace parking charges in York.”