Following comments by the energy minister, Malcolm Wicks, the CLA is demanding that any plans to discourage the urban use of four wheel drive vehicles by blanket taxation will not penalise those who have to use them, either as an essential vehicle for their business, or because they live in areas where they are a necessity.
It is also wonders if this has risen up the Government’s agenda because of a very active group who target inappropriate use of these vehicles by a minority in cities, and regardless of any consequential effect on rural communities.
Angus Collingwood - Cameron CLA North East Director said:
"Why is all the attention being focused on 4X4s when far greater damage is being done to the environment by aircraft and hauliers transporting food unnecessarily long distances? Environmental damage is a problem to be dealt with by joined-up Government policies, not just by picking on a high profile target to grab a headline.
"The people I know do not choose four wheel drive vehicles because of how they will look on the school run, but because they are physically capable to do that run. And the run to the doctor, and to the shops, and to visit their families, let alone allow their owners to do their jobs. Surely the current weather conditions alone can justify their ownership. They are also used because they can tow a trailer, carry large loads, and have good ground clearance to negotiate farm tracks and unmade country roads. They have to be multi-purpose because often they are the farm vehicle and the family car.
"Why should rural communities, with limited access to public transport, and with distances to travel to essential services, as well as with land-based businesses to run, be penalised for being safe and efficient?
"Inappropriate use of large vehicles is a localised problem in some urban areas and it is up to local authorities to use the powers they already have to alleviate this. A blanket tax because some people don't like 4x4s would be unfair to rural dwellers and, to paraphrase the Minister, would indeed be "crass irresponsibility". Furthermore, as Mr Wick's pronouncements coincide with the news that the Environment Secretary has taken delivery of a "gas-guzzling Jaguar", it smacks of gross Government hypocrisy."