Government proposals to almost double car tax for high polluting vehicles have been welcomed by Richmond's council leader, but he does not believe it makes council parking permit plans redundant.

In the budget last month, Chancellor Gordon Brown announced plans to change vehicle excise duty (VED or car tax), with cars that emit low levels of C02 charged less and cars that emit the most C02 having to pay £400 a year, almost double the current level.

Coun Serge Lourie, leader of Richmond upon Thames Council, said he was delighted by the news but said it had no effect on the council's policy to charge residents different amounts to park outside their homes, depending on carbon emissions.

On Monday, April 2, traffic control orders altering the prices of residents permits, charging them more to park in controlled parking zones (CPZs) if their cars produce high C02 emissions and less if they emit less, came into force.

Residents purchasing permits will now pay absolutely nothing if their cars produce very low levels of carbon and half if they are relatively low but those who have high emitting cars will pay double.

Coun Nick True, leader of Richmond Conservatives, called on the council to scrap the scheme in the wake of Mr Brown's announcement and said Government plans were fairer, applying to all, rather than just those who live in CPZs.

Coun Martin Seymour, Conservative transport spokesperson for Richmond upon Thames Council, said if his party won the next council elections in 2010 the emissions-based parking permits would be scrapped.

"We will repeal it on the basis it is ineffective. We are looking for a 60 to 80 per cent reduction and at best this will reduce carbon levels by per cent."

"It is unfair as it only taxes one-in-six drivers and it is redundant because the Chancellor has already done it. The few drivers being affected are getting a double hit. On those grounds we would turn it around.

"Green taxes are a good thing but they need to be effective and doing this for per cent and giving nothing is bringing green taxes into disrepute."

Coun Lourie rejected suggestions the Chancellor's plans had made the new permits irrelevant and pointed to other local authorities in the capital and London's Mayor, who are introducing similar emissions-based charging.

He said: "The Chancellor is thinking in the same way we are and thinks it's right that cars that put out more C02 should pay more and cars that put out less should pay less. It shows he is keen to reduce C02.

"People can make choices to reduce the charge. We think it is right that people who put out more should pay more. We think this will change behaviour."