The UK city considering charging ‘SUV parking tax’ | Tech News

Drivers in a single of the UK’s most historic cities might face “SUV tax” parking expenses primarily based on how huge their vehicles are. Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) has begun consulting the public over modifications to parking in Bath – and is already going through a backlash.

The authority’s plans cowl a selection of parking points, equivalent to requiring a legitimate MOT for parking permits and growing the prices of customer permits. But essentially the most eye-catching is a proposal to charge locals for permits associated to the scale of their vehicles – a first in England.

This might imply supplementary expenses for some bigger automobiles, and reductions for smaller automobiles. The same scheme was launched in Cardiff final yr.

Some residents have hit out, arguing the “outrageous” plans will goal households and people with disabilities, who usually need bigger vehicles.

Bob, 63, a former taxi driver, stated: “I was driving in this town for 20 years and at the time I had to pay something like £80 to 100 for residential parking.

“If that weren’t dangerous enough, they then add harm to insult by saying, ‘now we’ll charge you by the scale of your car as nicely.’ The issues they’re doing do not make sense.

“I wouldn’t mind so much, but they’re not improving the public transport system.”

He added: “I don’t think it’s going to improve the congestion in the city, because it doesn’t matter how much they put the charges up – people will still pay the charges. People will still come into the centre of town because they have to, to function.”

Some locals had been in favour of the proposal, together with Jayne Mallon, additionally 63, who stated: “I think it’s a good idea. Bigger vehicles should pay more – they take up more space and give out more pollution.”

Tina Kerr, 56, from Warminster, Wiltshire, stated she thinks the foundations are great – however that they need higher public transport in place if they will make parking troublesome.

She stated: “It is great to sort out the parking issues, but it needs an integrated transport system to replace people driving in. We don’t have a convenient alternative.”

Julian Knight, 51, travels to Bath a number of occasions a yr together with his household, as his brother lives regionally. He stated: “From a visitor’s perspective, the parking charges seem quite high already – we paid £50 for two nights.”

He added: “We would probably still visit, because we’re coming to see family – but it would be a bigger hit on the wallet.”

Councillor Joel Hirst, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Strategy, stated: “The approach we handle parking has a direct influence on street security, equity, and the council’s capacity to take care of important companies.

“What we’ve proposing to do will help us achieve this. Higher charges for larger vehicles and discounts for smaller ones will encourage more people to use safer, smaller and cleaner vehicles, which will also help improve air quality.”

A earlier council session confirmed 50% of respondents supported introducing dimension‑primarily based expenses or reductions for residents’ parking permits. The present session is open till June 18.