Cardiff is on the brink of a major shift in how it manages city parking, with city councillors set to vote today, October 16, 2025, on a landmark plan that would introduce higher parking charges for larger vehicles such as SUVs and Range Rovers. If approved, the Welsh capital could become the first city in the UK to implement such a measure, in a bid to tackle congestion, reduce air pollution, and make city streets safer for everyone.
According to BBC, the proposed changes form part of a sweeping 10-year strategy that would see Cardiff divided into three distinct parking zones, each with its own set of rules and permit structures. In the City and Civic Centre, residential permits would be scrapped entirely, while the Inner Area would feature a mix of permits and permitted bays—though businesses would be excluded. The Outer Area would continue to allow all permits, but the times when a permit is required could vary. The council’s decision on the plan is expected to be made today, with the exact costs of permits to be determined at a later date.
Central to the proposal is a new surcharge for what the council describes as “oversized and highly polluting vehicles.” Drivers with cars weighing more than 2,400kg—typically SUVs—would pay more for a parking permit, while those with vehicles tipping the scales at over 3,500kg would not be eligible for a permit at all. Over time, the threshold for the surcharge will be lowered to 2,000kg for non-electric vehicles, as outlined in the City Parking Plan. This move is intended to encourage drivers to switch to smaller, less polluting vehicles.
The rationale behind the plan is clear: larger vehicles take up more space and, according to the council’s report, pose greater dangers to other road users. “Large heavy vehicles take up more parking space and are a danger to other road users,” the report states. The plan also notes that “the higher the vehicle front the more likely a person will be knocked under the car, rather than pushed to the side. And the risk to children is particularly stark.” Indeed, a study cited in the plan found that children are three times more likely to be killed in a collision with an SUV than a regular car.
This has resonated with many residents, especially those who have experienced the dangers first-hand. Helen Edwards, whose son was struck by a car last year, shared her support for the new measures with councillors. “Families like mine live every day with the consequences of our streets being dominated by ever-larger vehicles,” she said. “This isn’t about punishing drivers – it’s about protecting children, pedestrians and our communities. If this change helps even one family avoid what we went through, it will be worth it.” She recounted the harrowing experience of waiting in the hospital to learn whether her son’s internal organs had been damaged, adding, “As a parent it’s your worst nightmare to come out of your house and see your child lying in the road.”
The push for reform is also backed by strong public support. Cardiff Council’s consultation on the proposed changes found that 66% of respondents agreed that larger vehicles should pay more for permits, with less than a quarter (24%) opposed. Residents have long complained that the growing number of large vehicles—sometimes referred to as ‘carspreading’—has exacerbated parking shortages in the city. Hundreds signed a petition calling for “fairer parking charges based on the size of the car to reduce congestion and road danger.”
But not everyone is convinced the plan strikes the right balance. Students, in particular, have voiced concerns about the impact on their daily lives and personal safety. Under the new plan, students would be entitled to fewer visitor permits, which has sparked anxiety about being able to park near their homes, especially after dark. “I think a lot of people are reliant on permits,” student Beca Hughes told BBC. “You notice a lot more people parking on double-yellow lines, you can struggle getting a parking space.” She added that students may feel unsafe if they can’t park close to their houses.
Joe Liston, a 19-year-old sports coach and Cardiff University student, echoed these worries. “I think it’s a bit unfair really, I need my car for a job, I work in schools as well as being a student, one day I may be in Caerphilly the next in Newport,” he said. “How do you expect me to do that without a car? You can’t quickly find a train, or I can’t really afford to pay for a taxi, there’s so many other people who do the same as me.”
Business owners and city planners have also raised questions about the timing and communication of the new plan. Kathryn Williams, managing director of KEW Planning consultancy, warned that the so-called “double-whammy” of higher car tax and increased parking charges could deter people from coming into the city. “Is it going to be a deterrent? I think people will need to be extremely careful when they’re coming into the city,” she said. Williams also emphasized the need for better public transport, stating, “I think we really need to look at improving things like our bus services, run a little bit longer, bit more frequent, same with the trains. I would use the train far more if they ran a bit later.” She pointed out that safety issues with cycling in certain parts of Cardiff remain a concern.
Retailers and businesses in the city centre are watching the developments closely, worried that the changes could affect footfall and trade. Williams noted, “I think there’ll be concern from retailers and people with businesses in the city centre. I don’t think the communication around the consultation has been that successful, as somebody who works in the industry, we haven’t been notified.”
On the other hand, some residents argue that reducing parking in the city centre is overdue. Thomas Chu, who used to pay £120 a month for a parking space near his flat, believes the move would help cut pollution and make the area more livable. “It’s not suitable for too many cars around here,” he told BBC.
The plan also includes a raft of other measures: a surcharge on diesel vehicles to encourage a switch to cleaner cars, new permit types for carers, NHS and council staff, and community organizations, and the requirement that motorcyclists obtain permits to park in resident bays. If the changes are approved, there will be another consultation before they are introduced, giving the city a chance to fine-tune the details.
Ultimately, Cardiff’s ambitious parking overhaul is about more than just where people leave their cars. It’s a bold experiment in reimagining urban life—one that seeks to prioritize safety, cleaner air, and a better quality of life for all residents. Whether it will deliver on those promises, and how the city’s diverse communities will adapt, remains to be seen in the months ahead.
