SOUTHEND Council has been urged to discourage the use of SUVs in the city due to an increase in “oversized, heavy and dangerous” vehicles.

Resident Simon Gittus called on the council to consider introducing measures such as increased parking fees against SUVs - large cars suited for off-road driving - at a meeting on Thursday.

However, Kevin Buck, councillor responsible for highways, transport and parking, said there is “no intention to apply punitive charges”.

It comes after Paris announced it intends to triple parking charges for large SUVs in order to push them out of the city and limit emissions and air pollution.

Following the meeting, James Vessey-Miller, member of the South East Essex Green Party, said he would support the move on a national level.

He added: “Any measures to tackle air pollution should be welcomed.

“Because this decision would have to come from Government, it would be something I would back if something like what Paris is doing went ahead.

“However, what I would like to see is Southend residents take up active travel, which can be done by making buses and trains cheaper.”

At the meeting, Mr Gittus said: “I am becoming concerned about the popularity of SUVs in our city. They are oversized, heavy and dangerous.

“They produce more emissions than standard-sized cars, polluting our streets and causing health issues. According to recent reports, emissions could have fallen by 30 per cent from 2010 if the SUV trend hadn’t taken off.”

He called on the council to consider similar methods being considered in Paris.

In response, Kevin Buck, councillor responsible for highways, transport and parking, ruled out the suggestion.

He said: “Central government already applies to the most expensive and/or heavier polluting vehicles, a number of escalating taxes, fees and charges and/or environmental levies.

“A seven-seat large domestic passenger vehicle would have a lower environmental emissions impact ‘per passenger’, than a two-seat sports car.”

He insisted the council “therefore have no intention to apply punitive charges to public service or other passenger carrying vehicles.”