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The term 'Chelsea Tractors' has become common with the increase in the
number of 4x4 vehicles being driven around the affluent borough in South
West London; a place not known for rolling hills and off-roading. However,
new research shows maybe they should be called 'Tunbridge Tractors' as
Tunbridge Wells in the heart of Kent has the highest proportion of urban
4x4s in the UK, just behind the more rugged areas of Perth and Galashiels.
Financial intermediary Admiral looked at over one million motorists across
the UK to find out which areas have the highest proportion of 4x4 drivers.
Although rural areas in Scotland and Wales with harsh winters dominate
the list, the town of Tunbridge Wells makes an appearance ahead of Llandrindod
Wells and Hereford, who round off the top five.
Admiral Managing Director, Ceri Assiratti, commented, "Over recent
years an array of new 4x4 vehicles have entered the market, such as the
BMW X5 and Mercedes ML. These have attracted the driver who wants the
performance of a car but the size of a 4x4, and can now be seen in large
numbers of today's roads."
"Maybe the term 'Chelsea Tractors' was coined too quickly, as the
SW London postcode doesn't even make the top twenty of the list. In fact,
it is the BR postcode which has the highest proportion of 4x4s in the
London area. Chelsea is only 0.7% above the national average of 5%"
The lowest concentration of 4x4s can be found in Liverpool and Manchester.
The top 5 lists for proportion of 4x4 ownership for the UK and London
are:
UK
- Perth (8.28%)
- Galashiels (7.99%)
- Tunbridge Wells (7.66%)
- Llandrindod Wells (7.25%)
- Hereford (6.98%)
London
- BR - Bromley (5.83%)
- EN - Enfield (5.75%)
- EC - Barbican, Tower Hill, Fleet Street (5.74%)
- WC - Holborn, Covent Garden (5.62%)
- W - Kensington, Notting Hill (5.58%)
The bottom 5 for proportion of 4x4 ownership for the UK are:
- Liverpool (2.71%)
- Manchester (2.79%)
- Birmingham (3.43%)
- Sunderland (3.48%)
- Uxbridge (3.61%)
Issue date: 11-04-05
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