Activists claim to have deflated the tyres of hundreds of SUV vehicles in Bristol and beyond as part of a new wave of climate protest across the UK.
The campaign group, which calls itself the Tyre Extinguishers, says it is leading a new movement across the country encouraging people to take action against urban SUVs. Hundreds of vehicles had their tyres deflated on Monday night (March 7) in more than a dozen locations including London, Brighton, Edinburgh, Sheffield, and Edinburgh as well as Bristol. The group claims they have specifically targeted affluent areas of the UK.
This incident marks the first night of action by the new movement by the group, who claim to be leaderless. They are operating under the aim to make it impossible to own an SUV in the UK’s urban areas, claiming SUVs are unnecessary “luxury emissions”, that contribute to air pollution and pose a danger on roads.
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Explaining their actions, spokesperson Marion Walker from The Tyre Extinguishers said: “Governments and politicians have failed to protect us from these massive unnecessary vehicles. SUVs are a climate disaster, they cause air pollution and are dangerous for other road users.
"Everyone hates them, apart from the people who drive them. Politely asking for climate action, clean air and safer streets has failed. It’s time for action."
'Concerned citizens' who make up the group were urged to take action in their local area and were also asked to print off a leaflet to leave on the SUV, to inform the owner of what has happened for their safety. In Bristol the neighbourhoods targeted were Clifton, Redland and Cotham.
The Tyre Extinguishers want to see bans on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to tax SUVs out of existence, and massive investment in free, comprehensive public transport. The group is currently taking action under four conditions, alleging the vehicles are dangerous and a "climate disaster".
Last year, one of the UK's most popular selling cars was a Kia Sportage SUV, according to Auto Express. SUVs emit 25 per cent more carbon dioxide on average than a medium-sized car, and have jumped in popularity in the UK from nearly seven per cent of private cars sold in the UK in 2009 to more than 21 per cent in 2018, according to the UK energy Research Centre.
The New Scientist reported how global analysis found the rise of SUVs last year wiped out the environmental gains from electric cars.
Were you affected by this campaign in Bristol? Get in touch to share your story at louisa.streeting@reachplc.com
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