Campaigners want to stop 'carspreading' in cities   (4th September 2025)

The Clean Cities Campaign (CCC) group in the UK wants to stop "carspreading". It says: "Carspreading is when cars get too wide for urban spaces, causing congestion, increased risk of accidents, and more fuel consumption." The CCC is targeting large cars like SUVs - sport utility vehicles - which are increasing in number. The Sky News website says there are 10 times more large cars in the UK now than 20 years ago. The CCC wants higher parking fees for SUVs. It wrote: "Bigger cars take up a lot more space, but the cost of parking has stayed the same." The group wants to follow Paris, which tripled parking costs for SUVs, from €6 ($7) to €18 ($21) an hour. This has reduced the number of SUVs in Paris.

The CCC explained why it wants SUV drivers to pay more for parking, saying: "Drivers are struggling to park because of 'carspreading', while people walking and cycling are more at risk." The CCC said: "More than half of new cars in the UK are too wide for urban parking spaces, leaving our cities crowded and congested. As cars get bigger, so do the risks. People hit by larger cars when walking or cycling are far less likely to survive." It added: "SUVs burn around 20 per cent more fuel...and require more...battery minerals. Not everyone agrees with the CCC. The Alliance of British Drivers said it was unfair "to make life more expensive and unpleasant for people" who drive SUVs.

Idioms about car and driving

A:

When I have to drive long distances, I usually

Fill the car up with petrol the day before I travel  (video)

Load up the car the night before if necessary. (video)

Set off early to avoid rush-hour traffic. (video)

Stick to the highway if I can, in order to get from A to B as quickly as possible. (video) (video)

Look out for any short cuts when I'm on minor roads. (video)

Take a map just in case I get lost. (video)

B: