London council to hit gas-guzzling cars

LONDON, Jan 16 (Reuters) A London council announced today it will press ahead with a controversial plan to cut CO2 emissions by charging owners of gas-guzzling cars up to three times as much for parking permits.

Richmond upon Thames Council in southwest London, one of the capital's most affluent areas, will introduce the scheme despite a consultation that revealed only 49 per cent of residents supported it.

The council said 39 per cent had opposed the idea and 12 per cent didn't know, but 64 per cent said the plans would make them think about changing their vehicle to a less-polluting model.

The cost of parking the most polluting vehicles in the parts of the borough subject to controlled zones will rise to 300 pounds from 100 pounds.

A sliding scale of charges for permits will come into force from around April, based on the government's car tax bands.

Band A, electric cars, will be free, with Band B, which includes the Toyota Prius hybrid and the Renault Megane dCi 106 diesel hatchback, getting a 50 percent reduction.

Hardest-hit will be owners of 4x4s like the BMW X5, the Renault Espace people-carrier and saloons like the Jaguar X-type.

Motoring groups have criticised the plan, saying ordinary motorists, not just owners of gas-guzzlers, would be affected.

But the leader of the Liberal Democrat-controlled council, Serge Lourie, who has long insisted local authorities rather than central government have to take the initiative on vehicle pollution, was delighted.

''I am particularly encouraged by the fact that 64 per cent have indicated they would be prepared to take practical action and switch to a less polluting vehicle,'' he said in a statement.

''These proposals were always going to spark a fierce debate -- we have never had any illusions about that fact.

''We brought them forward because we believe that they are the right thing to do. We never expected they would be universally popular.

''We hope to provide a national lead that other authorities will follow.'' REUTERS SP RN1630