Cheltenham Borough Council is exploring the possibility of imposing higher parking fees on heavier and larger vehicles in its car parks. This move comes in response to growing concerns about the phenomenon dubbed “carspreading,” where modern passenger cars and SUVs have increased in size and weight, while parking spaces remain unchanged.
The council has initiated a review to evaluate whether adjusting parking policies to reflect these changes is warranted. Green Party councillor Jan Foster has championed the idea, proposing a scheme where drivers of heavier domestic vehicles would pay more when using council-owned parking facilities. She emphasized that essential trader vehicles would be exempt from such charges.
“This isn’t an innovative idea,” Foster noted, citing similar measures adopted in various European cities, supported by public approval. Her proposal focuses on vehicle weight rather than emissions to address broader issues beyond air pollution.
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Liberal Democrat councillor Richard Lawler introduced an amendment calling for a thorough examination by the overview and scrutiny committee before any policy changes are made. Lawler highlighted the complexity of defining categories such as SUVs, heavier vehicles, and oversized vehicles, pointing out that they do not always overlap. For example, some electric hatchbacks may be heavier than small petrol SUVs due to their batteries, and some large vans are oversized but not necessarily heavier than certain electric cars.
He stressed the importance of clear definitions to ensure any charging system is fair and practical. Additionally, Lawler expressed concerns about introducing new parking fees amid current cost-of-living challenges, urging the council to base decisions on solid evidence and detailed proposals.
Councillor Foster accepted these concerns, and the council voted in favor of the amended motion to conduct a comprehensive review. The outcome will determine how different types of vehicles impact Cheltenham’s parking infrastructure and whether modifying parking fees is justified.