Nottingham City Council will become the first local authority to introduce workplace parking charges if its scheme is given the green light.

The council is in the final stages of consultation on the scheme, which will be introduced in 2010 and will charge motorists £185 a year to park their cars at work.

The cost will rise to £350 a year in 2014.

The workplace parking levy will apply to all businesses within the city, although small firms and those with 10 parking spaces or less will be exempt.

Exemptions will also apply to emergency services, disabled drivers, motorcycles and loading bays.

The aim is to encourage commuters to switch to public transport to ease congestion and emissions, and the tax raised will be ringfenced by the council for investment in public transport in the city.