Residents of a historic British city are expressing strong opposition to a local council’s proposal to implement charges for parking permits based on the size of residents’ vehicles. The plan, dubbed the ‘SUV tax’ by critics, is being put forward by Bath and North East Somerset Council, controlled by the Liberal-Democrats, making it the first in England to consider such a surcharge for larger cars. This move follows a similar initiative in Cardiff last year.

The council has initiated a public consultation on parking changes in Bath, triggering a wave of discontent. Among various parking adjustments included in the proposal, one contentious point is the potential introduction of charges for permits linked to the dimensions of vehicles, which has sparked outrage.

If implemented, this measure would be unprecedented in England, potentially resulting in additional fees for owners of larger vehicles while smaller ones may enjoy discounts. A comparable scheme was rolled out in Cardiff previously.

Criticism of the plan came from individuals like former taxi driver Bob, 63, who voiced frustration over the increasing costs, particularly now tied to car size. He argued that these actions lack logic and criticized the absence of improvements in public transportation systems to alleviate city congestion.

In contrast, some residents, like Jayne Mallon, 63, supported the idea, emphasizing that larger vehicles should bear a higher cost due to their size and environmental impact. Tina Kerr, 56, from Warminster, welcomed the rules but echoed the need for better transport options to reduce reliance on private cars.

Councillor Joel Hirst, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Strategy, defended the proposal, highlighting its potential to enhance road safety, fairness, and air quality by incentivizing the use of smaller, cleaner vehicles through differential charges based on size.

The move in Bath mirrors Cardiff’s efforts to promote a shift towards smaller vehicles, aiming to reduce congestion and pollution while encouraging alternative modes of transport. The council is seeking feedback on various parking-related changes, including revised fees at Park & Ride sites, to address residents’ concerns and improve the overall parking system.