Spotlighting SUVs in Scotland

A new report from SUV Alliance member Transform Scotland centres the challenge of tackling carspreading within the wider context of improving kerbside space. This helps us see carspreading in the bigger picture and opens up new policy approaches to address its harms.

Ahead of the Kerb, as the report is titled, examines the hidden costs of parking in Scotland and provides recommendations for local authorities and national governments to use parking policies to reclaim street space, improve safety and make more sustainable cities.

The report spotlights SUVs as the growing use of such vehicles, and their growing size, exacerbates issues like congestion and pavement parking. Public polling by Transform Scotland found that 75% of Scots think SUVs take up too much space on the roads.

The full list of recommendations for local authorities is as follows (5 and 6 are also included in the SUV Alliance manifesto):

1. Enforce the pavement parking ban

2. Adopt standalone dedicated parking plans

3. Engage major employers on workplace parking

4. Implement kerbside management strategies to prioritise shared uses (e.g. cycle parking, delivery bays, and community space).

5. Introduce weight-based parking charges

6. Ban SUV advertising 

The recommendations for the Scottish government are as follows (2 is also included in the SUV Alliance manifesto):

1. Equip Local Authorities to make the case for reform by providing guidance and research-based materials to help councils communicate the benefits of revised parking policies

2. Advocate for a progressive Large Vehicle Levy on bigger cars

3. Explore the feasibility of banning SUVs in city centres

Feature image: Daniel Ellis via Pexels.