Author | Lightnews

James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Aug 18

Forget coffee. I'm starting my day drinking the salty tears of drivers in Salisbury who are shocked - SHOCKED! - to learn that the consequences of their bad driving are in fact theirs to pay for. #motonormativity

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08...

‘Killer kerb’ that wrecks cars installed by pro-pedestrian council

Furious motorists complain over 13-inch high construction introduced by Lib Dem-led local authority

www.telegraph.co.uk

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Reposted by James Ward

Oliver Lord @olord.bsky.social · Jul 2

It’s astonishing Wimbledon insists on deploying large SUVs in our crowded capital despite excellent public transport and mounting evidence of the danger to children. Why can't guests use more normal sized cars and/or the tube like most Londoners? #carspreading

www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/a...

Campaigners call for Wimbledon to CANCEL Range Rover sponsorship deal

Group says Wimbledon must stop shuttling tennis players in 'dangerous supersized' Range Rover SUVs and instead force the likes of Emma Raducanu to take the tube or a bus.

www.thisismoney.co.uk

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Reposted by James Ward

Badvertising @badvertising.bsky.social · Jul 1

🚨 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧: On Mon 7 July, MPs will debate a ban on fossil fuel ads and sponsorship.

This is a pivotal moment for the UK to tackle Big Oil like it did Big Tobacco.

✉️ Ask your MP to show up. It takes just 2 mins.

👉 Use our email template tool: actionnetwork.org/letters/urge...

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jun 16

Ads on Bath Abbey??

adfreecities.org.uk/2025/02/sain...

Sainsbury’s ad near Bath Abbey approved – why this sets a dangerous precedent - Adfree Cities

Guest blog from Cllr Saskia Heijltjes, Bath and North East Somerset Council As a Green Party councillor, I am deeply concerned by the way in which permission wasgranted for a Sainsbury’s advertisement...

adfreecities.org.uk

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jun 16

Thank you for raising this Carla. Such an overlooked issue for too long!

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Apr 15

It was a pleasure to write this guest blog for Parents 4 Future Scotland. Ending the SUV arms race and creating safer, fairer streets for us and our kids is a personal and professional fight for me as a parent.

parents4futurescot.bsky.social @parents4futurescot.bsky.social · Apr 14

Read today's guest blog from James Ward at SUV Alliance 'It's time to end the SUV Arms Race...' @adfreecities.bsky.social @cleancitiescampaign.org @mumsforlungs.bsky.social @asthmaandlung.org.uk @ellarobertafdn.bsky.social www.parentsforfuturescotland.org.uk/blog-3-1/its...

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 27

Colchester council spaffing £1 million to widen parking spaces makes very clear how massive SUVs are only possible thanks to public subsidies.

Those inside enjoy their heated seats whilst those outside pay for the parking spaces, air pollution, road danger...

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Colchester parking spaces 'too narrow for modern vehicles'

A city is widening spaces in two of its car parks to accommodate larger cars.

www.bbc.co.uk

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 25

What Labour's "growth" really means:

pulling aid from foreign countries and bombing them instead.

www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

UK defence spending to rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 with aid budget slashed to help fund move - UK politics live

Keir Starmer says now is the time to deepen European security, as he announces move in the Commons

www.theguardian.com

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 11

Fantastic to see Norwich council considering higher parking charges for SUVs.

Bigger, heavier SUVs are more dangerous, more polluting and more damaging to the road surface than smaller cars. It's only fair that they should pay more.

www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/2490844...

Councillors call for SUV owners to pay higher parking fees

Norwich's SUV owners should be charged more for parking than their smaller counterparts, councillors have urged.

www.eveningnews24.co.uk

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 10

A man who previously used his SUV as a weapon is now on trial for using his SUV to murder someone.

Hard to see this story playing out with a Fiat Punto. SUVs are inherently violent machines and have no place on our streets.

www.essexlive.news/news/essex-n...

'Violent' driver crushed man under SUV then tried to flee to Dubai, court told

Trevelle Rowland allegedly used his Volkswagen Tiguan as a weapon to murder Fergany Mvuezolo before calling on his girlfriend to help him flee the country and evade arrest

www.essexlive.news

Reposted by James Ward

Solve the School Run @solveschoolrun.bsky.social · Feb 10

This is drop off at a primary school in South East London.

At the same time, 75% of primary pupils and 90% of secondary pupils are travelling sustainably to London schools. Can they safely walk/cycle their journeys with cars this size driving past?

Check out: www.suv-alliance.org.uk

A series of SUVs dropping children off at a primary school in Dulwich.

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 6

Maybe a vehicle that can mount another vehicle should be subject to some kind of regulation before being driven in the millions on our streets?

www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/n...

Image of a large SUV on top of a small car. Credit: Ashleigh Hambelton

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 5

Thanks for the book rec. I've often thought the same, that with the exception of drink and drug driving, road violence is effectively decriminalised.

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 3

For sure. I did mean specifically in the context of promoting a car.

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Feb 3

Anyone describing a car as a "weapon" should have their licence immediately and permanently revoked.

Screenshot of a web article titled "this company will turn your new Toyota Land Cruiser into an off-road weapon".

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 29

Sounds unfair to me! And it is.

That's why, as part of our manifesto for safer and fairer streets, the SUV Alliance is calling for reform to first year vehicle excise duty (VED) so that heavier vehicles are charged more. Thus disincentivising the purchase of massive SUVs.

suv-alliance.org.uk

SUV Alliance

suv-alliance.org.uk

James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 29

The Netherlands has eradicated potholes. So why can't the UK do the same?

The answer lies in how our two countries tax new vehicles.

In NL, vehicles are taxed on their weight, so heavy SUVs pay more.

In UK massive SUVs pay no more tax than small hatchbacks.
www.telegraph.co.uk/money/nether...

How the Netherlands eradicated the pothole

Taxes on heavy cars ensure Dutch roads are among the smoothest in the world

www.telegraph.co.uk

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 29

Slow clap for everyone who voted Labour in the last election thinking it would bring positive change.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg...

Reeves backs Heathrow expansion saying third runway is 'badly needed' - live updates

The chancellor says the airport is at

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by James Ward

Transport Action Network @transportaction.bsky.social · Jan 29

Large, polluting, dangerous SUVs are taking over our streets. But there is an alternative…

The SUV Alliance are taking action with their 5-point manifesto for safer, fairer streets, without SUVs.

suv-alliance.org.uk

#SaferStreets
#FairerStreets #WithoutSUVs

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 28

The driver in the Wimbledon school crash has been re-arrested 😮

To read this on the same day that we launch the SUV Alliance and manifesto reminds me of the importance of removing massive SUVs from our streets and the tragic consequences if we fail to act.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Wimbledon school crash: Woman rearrested over deaths of two girls

Nuria Sajjad and Selena Lau died at The Study Preparatory School in Wimbledon on 6 July 2023.

www.bbc.co.uk

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 28

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 28

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 28

The SUV Alliance campaigns for safer, fairer streets without SUVs. We want a future of public transport, active travel and small EVs - not big, heavy, dangerous, polluting SUVs.

Our 5-point manifesto is the start of a journey towards this future. Find out more at suv-alliance.org.uk

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Reposted by James Ward

Mums for Lungs @mumsforlungs.bsky.social · Jan 28

Large, polluting, dangerous SUVs are taking over our streets. But there is an alternative…

Today we launch the SUV Alliance and our 5-point manifesto for safer, fairer streets, without SUVs.

#SaferStreets #FairerStreets #WithoutSUVs

SUV Alliance

Large Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and 4x4s are more polluting, more expensive and more dangerous to other road users, yet they are fast becoming the norm in the UK. Pushed by carmakers and their…

suv-alliance.org.uk

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James Ward @jamesward81.bsky.social · Jan 21

Well that's OK then.

Screenshot of article headline "Advertisers need not fear a heightened political climate"