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Londoners back higher charges for 4x4s
Evening Standard15.10.07
Londoners have given overwhelming support for 4x4s to be hit with higher parking charges, a survey shows today.
Two thirds of those polled said "Chelsea tractors" should pay more. Only a quarter said they thought higher parking fees were a "bad idea".
The results will boost councils which are planning higher charges for residents' parking and roadside meters. Richmond council has said it wants to charge "gas-guzzlers" more for parking at meters and in off-street car parks. However, the survey found strong opposition to government plans for road-charging.
Nearly six in 10 said this was a bad idea. Some 65 per cent said they would "resent" paying up to £1.50 a mile under Labour's plans to introduce road-pricing within a decade.
You can watch a video of people's views on 4x4s here
Vox Pops International quizzed 300 people in and around London and Brighton. It found seven out of 10 backed crackdowns against speeding because it reduced accidents.
The same number supported plans by Transport for London for the Low Emission Zone, which will make the most polluting lorries, buses and coaches pay a fee to travel in the capital. The scheme starts in February.
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Reader views (11)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
So two thirds of the poll agreed. Only a quarter thought that higher parking fees were a bad idea. To get this and other 'polls' into perspective how about the media letting us know how many people were polled!
- Christine, Essex, UK
OK. So now we should have a survey about the "people's" thoughts on owners of newts having to pay a £10k a year tax on each one owned. And how about a survey on a tax on whiny, nasal voices? This is just manipulation by the authorities aimed at easy targets - it's supposed to be a congestion charge, in which case a Prius takes up as much room as a BMW X3, probably more (while over a whole life cycle the Prius has a bigger impact on the environment).
- Paul, London
In response to Ray King, Londoners will be totally free to pay the higher charge and drive 4x4's if they wish, it's their complete right, or they are free to drive a smaller car and pay less.
- Chris, London, UK
