UK drivers in SUV or 4x4s to be slapped with 'higher' car parking fees

Drivers in bigger cars like SUVs and 4x4s have been warned they could be forced to pay HIGHER parking fees at the hands of local councils. Councils and local authorities are mulling over introducing hiked parking fees for drivers of larger vehicles.

Extra car parking charges for certain drivers could be "one approach" local authorities take to cut back on the rise in heavy vehicles. Transport&Environment (T&E) has stressed that “increased parking charges” could be “one approach” that councils could take.

Ralph Palmer, Electric Vehicle and Fleets Officer at T&E, told the Express: “Increased parking charges is one approach that towns and cities could take to tackle this issue, similar to what we've seen in Paris and some London boroughs where parking charges are based on CO2 emissions of the car.

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Matt Finch, UK policy Manager at Transport & Environment, claimed motorists should “stop burning” diesel and transition to cleaner models immediately. He explained: “Regardless of the impact of the ULEZ on air pollution, this data shows the remarkable impact clean air zones can have on energy and trade.

“Diesel is another dirty fossil fuel that the UK has found itself reliant on imports for, often from countries with undemocratic Governments that have poor human rights records. The smart move would be to follow London’s lead, stop burning imported dirty diesel and switch to using clean British electrons as quickly as possible.”

Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities Campaign, has also called for an urgent ban on diesel vehicles. He commented: “We’ve known for years that diesel fumes are ruining our lives so it’s inspiring to see this change in London, but the bottom line is we won’t breathe freely until diesel engines are ditched for good.

“With the right commitment, coordination and leadership from all levels of Government our cities can be almost free of diesel by 2030, but only when coupled with the support to make that happen and especially for small businesses.”