Motions passed by London Assembly carry no legal weight. They can’t force the Mayor’s hand. But they do say something about which way the political wind is blowing. They have political and symbolic significance.
The Assembly passed a motion from Elly Baker AM calling for action on the growing dominance of oversized cars — especially large SUVs and 4x4s — on London’s already congested streets.
The UK’s cars are getting bigger by an average of 1cm every two years, with 52% of cars sold now too large for minimum parking spaces.
These vehicles are not just bigger; they’re heavier, taller, and harder to see out of, or around. That means more damage to roads, more pollution, and a greater risk of death or serious injury for people walking or cycling.
‘Carspreading’ is damaging London’s roads, causing congestion on its limited street space, and putting pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers at greater risk of death and serious injury.
This is not a niche concern. SUVs are now the best-selling type of new car in the UK. Along with 4x4s, they make up nearly a third of all cars on the road.
Notes & thoughts
Many of the recommendations in the motion will feature again on this blog including ‘using every tool in the policy toolbox' to tackle the situation including asking councils to explore the charging higher parking charges for SUVs
Indeed, I had just one beef. The term ‘carspreading’ is, well, too polite. I intend to use one of the alternatives.
Carbloat.
Its bluntness better matches the problem.