A LONDON council is pressing ahead with radical proposals to introduce resident parking charges based on a vehicle’s CO2 emission.

It follows a consultation with residents and businesses in Richmond which found that only 49% support the proposals. It could see permits cost up to £300 a year from April.

Council bosses claim 64% of respondents said the charges would make them consider changing their vehicle to a less-polluting one.

Critics say the plans are simplistic and take no account of a family’s need for a large vehicle and give company car drivers no time to change to a greener vehicle if they wanted to.

Roger Williams, head of major fleets and leasing at AA Business Services, said: ‘With the permit increase potentially in place by April, company car drivers, many of whom are tied into three-year contracts, will have no opportunity to choose a greener vehicle and will therefore have no choice but to pay for permit, or risk a fine.’

The proposals will be discussed and finalised by the council on Monday.