Advertisement
Environment

Climate activists have deflated hundreds of SUV tyres in affluent areas across the UK

A group calling themselves The Tyre Extinguishers targeted “well-to-do” neighbourhoods and say their aim is to make it “impossible” to own a 4×4 in urban areas.

A climate activism group calling themselves The Tyre Extinguishers deflated hundreds of SUV tyres across the UK on Monday night in a protest against the polluting “killer vehicles”. 

The stunt, which the group said was the “first in a new wave of protest”, was taken to discourage the use of 4×4 cars in urban areas with the ultimate aim of making it “impossible” to own one. 

Marion Walker, group member, said “politely asking” for climate action had failed, prompting The Tyre Extinguishers to take action.

Tyres were deflated in several locations across London, including Hampstead, Notting Hill and Chelsea, while SUVs were also hit in Brighton, Sheffield, Liverpool, Bristol, Cambridge and Edinburgh. 

The group says on its website that they are targeting “post / middle-class areas” and has posted a guide on its website with instructions on how to spot and deflate SUV tyres. 

Alongside these instructions, the group has produced a leaflet for placing on the cars after the tyres have been deflated, explaining why the action has been taken.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Article continues below

“We have deflated one or more of your tyres. You’ll be angry, but don’t take it personally. It’s not you, it’s your car. We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge consequences for others,” the first part of the leaflet reads. 

The leaflet suggests that the car owner uses “walking, cycling or public transport” to get around as an alternative. 

According to the group, SUVs have been targeted in particular due to their creation of “luxury emissions” by the wealthy, calling the cars a “climate disaster” causing air pollution and making roads more dangerous. 

The Tyre Extinguishers wish to see a ban on SUVs in urban areas, pollution levies to “tax SUVs out of existence”, and massive investment in free, comprehensive public transport.

The group has said its actions will continue until politicians “make this a reality”.

Other UK citizens are being urged to “join in” on the Tyre Extinguisher’s actions, with the group’s website saying that “deflating tyres repeatedly and encouraging others to do the same will turn the minor inconvenience of a flat tyre into a giant obstacle for driving massive killer vehicles around our streets.”

Group member Walker added: “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.”

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
'We'll have to get more militant': The real winners and losers from the farm inheritance tax debate
a tractor in a field
Farming

'We'll have to get more militant': The real winners and losers from the farm inheritance tax debate

Farming is the country's least diverse industry. Meet the man on a mission to change it
Farming

Farming is the country's least diverse industry. Meet the man on a mission to change it

Keir Starmer's COP 29 climate goals 'encouraging' – but 'serious action' needed now, experts say 
Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends COP29 in Azerbaijan
COP29

Keir Starmer's COP 29 climate goals 'encouraging' – but 'serious action' needed now, experts say 

Where has all the fog gone?
Nature

Where has all the fog gone?

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue