Vanity vehicles

Ten years ago, even with parking on both sides, twolane traffic flowed freely on Edinburgh’s Inverleith Row. Now it is stopping, starting and slow running as vehicles edge past each other.

This is a widespread problem and results in greatly increased pollution. The roads are no narrower; the cause is the extra width of the now numerous SUVS. Here is an opportunity for a completely cost free reduction of pollution.

The local authority simply reduces by 25 per cent per annum the number of residents parking permits issued for SUVS and, similarly, the numberof ‘pay to park’ spaces available to them.

No one will suffer. The EXSUV owners will save on the purchase price of their cars and around 25 per cent of their fuel bills. SUVS are essentially a vanity choice – I do not recollect ever seeing one with mud on its tyres in Edinburgh.

DAVID HOGG Glanville Place, Edinburgh