Debate revs up over fees for gas guzzlers

LONDON - Mark Stent sat brooding over his afternoon cappuccino as he factored in the extra expense his sleek Mercedes four-wheel-drive would incur on top of the house he'd just agreed to buy in the leafy south-west London borough of Richmond.

When he decided to buy the home in Barnes in the affluent west London district he had no idea that the Liberal Democrat council was proposing a sliding scale system of parking permit charges for cars based on CO2 emission levels - of which his "Chelsea tractor" came the top of the environmentally damaging table.

While he admitted to being fully aware of the polluting effects of his "thirsty vehicle", the father of four children aged between two and 11 said it was one of the only choices of vehicle available to him.

"I would have loved to have bought a hybrid 4WD that's decent. One of the manufacturers did one but it was not my taste of car," he said. "There's just no choice of big vehicle out there. I actually phoned Audi up before I bought the Mercedes to ask for a hybrid engine but it's not available yet."

For Stent, 41, who works in the music business, his four-wheel-drive was invaluable when he lived in Wiltshire.

But he claimed it was also a necessity rather than a luxury back in Barnes.

But regardless of the environmental implications of his vehicle, he was outraged that certain car owners should be penalised by local government.

"We live in a democracy. People should have a choice. I agree 4WDs aren't needed for someone with one or two children but we are walking a thin line and we pay enough for the vehicle and the fuel.

"Anyway, those who buy a 4WD aren't going to be put off by one extra tax."

Stent was not the only one riled by the news. The announcement by Richmond Council that from January next year owners of band G vehicles, which include four-wheel-drives, Jaguar X-types and the Renault Espace people-carrier, could face a 200 per cent increase in charges was met by some indignation. But a council spokesman said not all the borough's 15,000 permit holders would lose out.

In an effort to combat environmental damage in one of the worst London boroughs for CO2 emissions, the council had targeted the biggest offenders which, if taken off the road, could reduce emissions by 15 per cent.

Residents who own environmentally friendly electric cars would also be rewarded by having to pay no charges whatsoever.

Many in Richmond could appreciate the beneficial effects of the proposal on the environment, but some insisted they had more pressing priorities.

Alison Hyde, 23, had not owned a vehicle until six months ago when her son, Tom, was born. She then invested in a BMW, but only because she felt it was essential.

"Having had a baby, I think it's much safer to travel in one and our parents live in the north so we're always travelling on the motorway to Liverpool or Wolverhampton.

"Until a year ago I didn't have a car and I don't think you need one in London if you don't have a child. I'm quite green but it's a bit nanny-like to charge people this way but I do understand it. What I'd really like to see is a green 4WD, a big solid car, but there's not one out there yet," she said.

For Claire Dimmer's family the 4WD debate was proving to be a divisive issue. Dimmer, 34, a mother of two who owned a 1-litre Hyundai, said she had not felt the need of a 4WD while bringing up her children, and felt it appropriate for those who chose to buy such large vehicles to pay the extra charge.

"Those vehicles are just part of the culture and lifestyle. Often those sorts of mums in 4WDs also have three-wheel buggies. It's quite status-related.

"There's nothing wrong in being aspirational but there's no argument to say you need it.

"Like anything, if you want these things, you have to pay for them."

Her 12-year-old daughter Briony Balch was firmly behind her, but Briony's grandmother, Wendy Robinson, defended her reasons for buying her Toyota Rav.

"I'm too old for status symbols. Mine is definitely for practical reasons. It's a small three-door, 2-litre four-wheel-drive which I use to go up to Scotland for gentle off-road journeys. I find them far safer to drive."

- INDEPENDENT