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Original poster

To welcome Cardiff Council's proposed higher parking charges for larger/heavier cars

131 replies

LlynTegid · 16/10/2025 12:01

Cardiff council are planning to have higher parking charges for larger/heavier vehicles (so including most SUVs). I welcome this, wish it was the case everywhere, though a second best option to the separate driving test I would prefer.

AIBU to welcome this?

OP posts:
YorkshireGoldDrinker · 16/10/2025 13:06

Bagsintheboot · 16/10/2025 12:48

It's been in the media for quite a few years. I don't know where it originated but I think it's very apt to describe the ridiculous car bloat.

Even a modern ford fiesta is significantly larger than it's predecessors 20 years ago.

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To be fair, you can say exactly the same thing about the people. But there's no fat jab for cars, is there? Even the Classic Mini was genuinely Mini. Now they're huge, because they're not Mini anymore. I think the brand is German now.

Sal820 · 16/10/2025 13:02

MrsSkylerWhite · 16/10/2025 12:41

Most modern SUVs are far less polluting than older, smaller vehicles.

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Not according to a quick Google:

New SUVs vs. old cars:
A new SUV is likely to be more polluting than an older small car unless it is an electric vehicle. A study found that some new SUVs are more polluting than a conventional engine car bought in 2013

RealOliveTraybake · 16/10/2025 13:02

Bagsintheboot · 16/10/2025 12:48

It's been in the media for quite a few years. I don't know where it originated but I think it's very apt to describe the ridiculous car bloat.

Even a modern ford fiesta is significantly larger than it's predecessors 20 years ago.

Show quote history

That's total rubbish. A modern fiesta is only 5cm wider and 12cm longer than a 20 year old one.

PerkingFaintly · 16/10/2025 13:00

The devil will be in the detail, won't it?

FedUpWithDilemmas · 16/10/2025 12:57

I voted YABU because that would also include electric cars, which are very heavy. What actually do they want? (And don't say everyone on public transport because that's not actually possible for everyone and it would collapse if everyone started to take it)

PerkingFaintly · 16/10/2025 12:56

Avantiagain · 16/10/2025 12:53

Presumably this won't apply to blue badge holders although there is still an issue if the blue badge holders car is the only family car. We have a 2nd small car but a lot of families only have one car.Neither car is an SUV.

Yes, this is true.

PerkingFaintly · 16/10/2025 12:55

DierdreDaphne · 16/10/2025 12:11

Sounds like a great idea. I imagine/ hope there will be exemptions for wheelchair adapted vehcles etc to sort out genuine need from the "but I need my big car - or at least I might if xyz" types of whingers who will try hiding behind other people's needs.

Blue Badges should cover this.

They might need to get their local parking regs exactly right to make it work well, but fundamentally the system is there.

FallingIntoAutumn · 16/10/2025 12:55

Chiseltip · 16/10/2025 12:24

How does it impact others?

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They also do much more damage to the roads as they are heavier.

Avantiagain · 16/10/2025 12:53

Presumably this won't apply to blue badge holders although there is still an issue if the blue badge holders car is the only family car. We have a 2nd small car but a lot of families only have one car.Neither car is an SUV.

MrsSkylerWhite · 16/10/2025 12:49

Bagsintheboot · 16/10/2025 12:48

It's been in the media for quite a few years. I don't know where it originated but I think it's very apt to describe the ridiculous car bloat.

Even a modern ford fiesta is significantly larger than it's predecessors 20 years ago.

Show quote history

So are people, Tbf.

Bagsintheboot · 16/10/2025 12:48

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 16/10/2025 12:47

'Autobesity'.

Good God I've heard it all now.

It's been in the media for quite a few years. I don't know where it originated but I think it's very apt to describe the ridiculous car bloat.

Even a modern ford fiesta is significantly larger than it's predecessors 20 years ago.

YorkshireGoldDrinker · 16/10/2025 12:47

'Autobesity'.

Good God I've heard it all now.

Bagsintheboot · 16/10/2025 12:45

About time. Autobesity is getting ridiculous.

Very very few people actually need a giant SUV.

princesspadam · 16/10/2025 12:45

I would prefer them to sort out the appalling roads in cardiff which have been changed to large cycle lanes making the city centre and close surrounding areas gridlocked for the majority of the time
there have been people trapped in car parks in excess of 4 hrs due to this joy from the labour government

Octavia64 · 16/10/2025 12:43

Hope there are exemptions for wheelchair users.

very few small cars will take a wheelchair.

otherwise fill your boots

MrsSkylerWhite · 16/10/2025 12:41

Shallowpuddle · 16/10/2025 12:29

More pollution, more dangerous for pedestrians/cyclists, literally takes up more space on the road and in car parks. I drive it because I have to, but I can completely see that it's quite anti-social.

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Most modern SUVs are far less polluting than older, smaller vehicles.

wantmorenow · 16/10/2025 12:35

I think is proposed to be levied on permit parking in streets. Bigger vehicles taking up more curb space so fewer spaces for others.

TheNightingalesStarling · 16/10/2025 12:30

I drive a Landrover. Hate taking it into the city.
We recently got a Fiat500 as we needed a second car as its so much more convenient in tight car parks and narrow streets.

We do live in a Yorkshire village and the Landrover does go off road frequently but visiting London its just the sane as any other SUV... too big.

Shallowpuddle · 16/10/2025 12:29

Chiseltip · 16/10/2025 12:24

How does it impact others?

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More pollution, more dangerous for pedestrians/cyclists, literally takes up more space on the road and in car parks. I drive it because I have to, but I can completely see that it's quite anti-social.

Chiseltip · 16/10/2025 12:24

Shallowpuddle · 16/10/2025 12:15

As someone who drives a massive car I fully support this. My massive car has a disproportionate impact on the roads and other road-users, therefore it's completely fair that I pay more.

How does it impact others?

Redpeach · 16/10/2025 12:23

MrsSkylerWhite · 16/10/2025 12:13

I’d rather people with older, more polluting cars paid more.
Is the council providing larger spaces accordingly?

And larger roads?

Biskieboo · 16/10/2025 12:20

Shallowpuddle · 16/10/2025 12:15

As someone who drives a massive car I fully support this. My massive car has a disproportionate impact on the roads and other road-users, therefore it's completely fair that I pay more.

Jesus I didn't expect that! I thought this thread would be nothing but 'But I neeeed a 2.5 tonne SUV because I've got a dog/it snowed once/I've got a speedboat and horses/there's a pothole/it makes me feel safe' etc. I'm the same - I drive a larger vehicle, it takes up more space, it's more polluting, so fair enough.

BaconCheeses · 16/10/2025 12:17

I'd have preferred sectioning off parking areas for bigger vehicles so they can all enjoy parking next to eachother.

I think the better solution in time is ai weighing/measuring of a vehicle upon entry and allocation to particular space in a particular (higher) priced and sized section.

It would of course cost more because if the carpark can fit 100 regular spaces or 80 wider spaces, smaller cars shouldn't be paying a split-the-difference price to facilitate running costs.

I'm fed up of adapting to larger cars. Each car should require a minimum of e.g. 2 feet around the mirrors and boot. If your car doesn't fit, you don't park or you pay for 2 spaces.

Shallowpuddle · 16/10/2025 12:15

As someone who drives a massive car I fully support this. My massive car has a disproportionate impact on the roads and other road-users, therefore it's completely fair that I pay more.

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