Cardiff Council will today vote on plans to tackle so-called “carspreading” by introducing fairer parking charges for the heaviest vehicles in the city.
Campaigners and a local mother whose teenage son was hit by a car have welcomed the move.
The council’s new City Parking Plan states that “large heavy vehicles take up more parking space and are a danger to other road users.”
A report to Cabinet recommends “a surcharge for vehicles over 2,400 kg Revenue Weight” to encourage a shift to smaller cars, with the threshold tightening to 2,000 kg in time for non-electric vehicles. Vehicles over 3,500 kg would not be entitled to permits.
Public consultation showed two thirds of respondents, 66%, support higher permit costs for larger vehicles.
Hundreds of residents also signed a petition calling for “fairer parking charges based on the size of the car to reduce congestion and road danger,” warning that higher front ends increase the likelihood of a person being knocked under a vehicle, with risks “particularly stark” for children.
Helen Edwards, whose teenage son was struck last year, said the plans are about protecting communities, not punishing drivers.
“Families like mine live every day with the consequences of our streets being dominated by ever-larger vehicles. If this change helps even one family avoid what we went through, it will be worth it.”
Clean Cities, a founder member of The SUV Alliance, praised Cardiff’s approach.
UK Head Oliver Lord said it is fair that drivers of the biggest, heaviest and most polluting vehicles pay more for the extra space and danger they bring.
Preliminary results from Paris indicate tripled parking tariffs for heavy or SUV-type vehicles cut surface-parked SUVs by about two thirds.
With SUVs now around 62% of UK new car sales, supporters say Cardiff’s plan is a timely step to make streets safer, cleaner and fairer.
Cardiff to curb SUV “carspreading” with fairer, weight-based parking charges appeared first on Energy Live News.