Overview
- Councillors signed off a City Parking Plan that will add a permit surcharge based on vehicle revenue weight, making Cardiff the first UK council to adopt such a policy.
- Vehicles over 2,400kg will face higher permit fees, with the threshold later falling to 2,000kg for non‑electric cars, and any vehicle over 3,500kg will be ineligible for residential permits.
- The council says the policy targets congestion, air quality and road danger, citing evidence that larger, heavier vehicles pose greater risks to pedestrians, including children.
- A public consultation found 66% support for charging larger vehicles more, though opponents warn of unfair costs for some drivers and potential impacts on city‑centre access and trade.
- Implementation will be phased over up to 10 years, with exact tariffs and exemptions— including a planned diesel surcharge with RDE2 exemptions—set through the forthcoming TRO process, and any extra revenue earmarked for local transport.