Tackling carspreading in London: the Vision Zero Action Plan 2
Large cars and SUVs are squarely in the cross hairs for Transport for London and the Mayor of London in their updated action plan for achieving zero road deaths within the capital by 2041.
Whilst the Vision Zero Action Plan 2 action plan remains vague on specific policies for the Mayor and TfL to enact, the strength of feeling demonstrates clear leadership from both bodies and empowers other local authorities to take action against carspreading themselves.
Page 24 of the plan states: “Large SUVs are physically reshaping urban streets, with half of new cars now too wide for minimum specified parking spaces. They take up more road space, leaving less for people cycling and motorcycling, and block sight lines needed to cross or use the road safely. Their bulk makes junctions, crossings and residential streets more hazardous for everybody outside the vehicle. This is no longer a gradual trend – it is creating immediate and intensifying risks across London. Without action to address oversized and heavier vehicles, more people will be seriously injured or killed.”
What could TfL do next?
The action plan commits TfL to “complete analysis to better understand the safety risk and impacts posed by oversized SUVs to understand what action could be taken at different levels of government.”
We note that the safety risks are already well understood, supported by evidence published in recent years.
In addition to this, we note other areas of the action plan where a recognition of the extra risks posed by oversized cars could be integrated into existing policies and policy goals.
Speed limits: introducing 20mph limits across London is a welcome step, however speed is only one factor in determining vehicle danger, the other is mass. A 3-tonne Land Rover Defender travelling at 20mph carries the same kinetic energy as a 1.5-tonne Ford Fiesta travelling at 30mph. Could speed limits be varied by vehicle weight to account for this disparity? Or heavier vehicles simply not allowed to drive along certain roads where safety is a priority (e.g. school streets)?
Promoting active travel and safer road behaviour is important, but undermined by the continued promotion of larger cars and SUVs via advertising. TfL controls one of the largest advertising estates in the world, including bus shelter adverts, bus sidings, and of course the Underground network. TfL has banned junk food adverts from all ad sites it controls, could it do the same with SUV advertising?
In a reference to the recent nationwide Road Safety Strategy, the action plan welcomes “the government’s consultation on mandating 18 new safety technologies”. The Road Safety Strategy also makes reference to the risks posed by large cars and SUVs, with a commitment to explore these issues further. Could TfL support the UK government to bring forward nationally-effective policies to limit the use of oversized cars, for instance supporting tax reform or better vehicle design standards?
How we got here
This follows extensive engagement by the SUV Alliance and alliance members who have pushed for explicit consideration of carspreading within the Vision Zero Action Plan.
Back in June 2025, London Assembly Member Elly Baker proposed a motion to the London Assembly calling on the Mayor to address carspreading in the city. That motion was approved by the Assembly, although the Mayor’s subsequent response was non-committal.
In July 2025, carspreading was addressed in a report by Assembly Member Caroline Russell which was written to feed into the Vision Zero Action Plan then being drafted. The reports calls for weight-based parking charges, restrictions on SUV advertising, and public information campaigns on the dangers of SUVs.
In September 2025, our Reversing Carspreading conference made the case loud and clear for actions to tackle road danger caused by oversized cars. Representatives of TfL and London borough councils were present throughout the day and left in no uncertainty about the case for urgent action.
Then, in November, SUV Alliance member Badvertising took over advertising space throughout Southwark Tube station with spoof ads criticising the continued presence of adverts for polluting products - including SUVs - across the TfL network. This was followed by a question to the Mayor from Caroline Russell AM on the topic, prompting further engagement with the issue from the Mayor.
Feature image: Crispin Hughes / Clean Cities / Climate Visuals