UK cities target SUVs with new parking charges

If you’re rolling through Bristol in a beefy SUV, you may soon have to fork out a little extra for the privilege of parking it. Bristol City Council is eyeing a parking fee overhaul that could see drivers of large, heavy, and gas-guzzling vehicles face heftier charges just to snag a spot. And this is a trend that could spread across the entire United Kingdom.

With this plan still in its "thinking about thinking about it" phase, Bristol is looking to join Bath and London’s Lambeth, who have rolled out similar schemes targeting high-emission vehicles in recent years. This would make Bristol the latest city trying to curb emissions and free up space with a unique parking fee twist.

While the council's ambitions are in their early stages, their vision could go beyond just increased parking fees for the big-wheeled and carbon-heavy. A council report reveals that officials are also flirting with the idea of banning pavement parking entirely – a rule already active in parts of Scotland. If implemented, it could mark the end of Bristol’s notoriously creative kerbside parking.

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In their recent committee report, the council hinted at the wider reach of the scheme, saying it would entail “a pricing strategy, demand management, and variations on pricing categories based on factors like vehicle weight, emissions, and size.” This isn’t just about lining the council’s coffers – it’s part of a bigger plan to reduce street clutter and nudge the city toward greener, more sustainable transport options.

And it doesn’t end there. Council officials are floating ideas that could eventually lead to a “reallocation of kerbside space.” Translation: say goodbye to rows of parked cars and hello to a future filled with things like tree planters, sustainable drainage systems, cycle hangars, and public seating. 

This all follows Bath’s example, where diesel drivers and high-emission petrol cars face elevated fees in the city centre. Bath’s council says it’s worked like a charm to promote eco-friendly commuting, even if it meant increasing parking fees from £1.70 to £2.50 per hour for some residents.

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