UK: A suburban local authority in London has decided to press ahead with a controversial anti-pollution residential parking fee scheme that targets SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and other high-fuel consumption cars.
It says this is because of the environmental damage they cause, but the fee will also hit owners of more modest family cars.
Richmond, an affluent residential area of southwest London, has, like many similar middle-class suburbs in Ireland, experienced an upsurge in families buying four-wheel drive vehicles.
So-called SUVs were designed originally for heavy duty off-road use but are now bought mainly by suburban dwellers.
Opponents mock them, claiming they use these vehicles - derided as "Chelsea tractors" - for ferrying children to school rather than driving across fields.
In Britain, urban resentment against the vehicles and their owners has been rising, to such an extent that environmental activists have campaigned against them. In some instances, the vehicles have been scratched or, staying within the law, anti-SUV stickers have been placed on them in the hope of embarrassing owners.
Now, however, Richmond Council, which is Liberal-Democrat controlled, wants to target SUV and executive car owners in their pockets by tripling the cost of a resident's annual parking permit.
The charge will be based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and will hit all cars above 1,600 ccs, even though a poll showed fewer than half (49 per cent) of residents were in favour. That survey was also based on a residents' response rate of only 47 per cent.
Only 32 per cent of businesses responded to the poll, which showed 49 per cent of them to be opposed and just 31 per cent in favour. The scheme could see Richmond residents with 4x4 vehicles having to pay about £300 (about €450) for their annual parking permits.
Richmond council leader Serge Lourie said there had been "a clear majority in favour of the proposals". While 49 per cent of residents had been in favour, 39 per cent opposed the plan and 12 per cent were undecided. Also, 64 per cent said the plans would make them think about changing their vehicle to a less polluting model as opposed to only 31 per cent who said the plans would not change their future behaviour.
"I am delighted by the results from the consultation," Mr Lourie said. "These proposals were always going to spark a fierce debate. We have never had any illusions about that fact. We brought them forward because we believe that they are the right thing to do. We never expected they would be universally popular."
The plans will now go before the council and, if approved, the new rules could be in place within three months. - (PA)