The Mayor today faced calls to penalise SUV drivers with higher levies after new research revealed there are now 800,000 on London's roads - 10 times more than two decades ago.

New research from Clean Cities, an organisation promoting active transport, has revealed that the proportion of cars defined as an SUV in London is now 31 per cent - up from three per cent in 2003.

Campaigners and London Assembly Members said the capital's roads were not designed for the "monster" vehicles and that they should be discouraged from being used in urban areas.

Aside from clogging up London's narrow roads and parking spaces, they said, SUVs present an increased danger to children due to taller bonnets leaving drivers unable to see them crossing the street.

Petrol and hybrid SUVs also release

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