Higher parking fees for diesel cars

DRIVERS of diesel cars could be faced with higher parking fees after fears were raised about their effect on the environment.

A council in England has announced plans to charge diesel car drivers extra to park after highlighting problems with air quality.

Kensington and Chelsea Council will implement a 15 surcharge on annual parking permits for diesel cars, with suggestions that Edinburgh and Glasgow could soon follow suit.

Last year Edinburgh became the first city in Scotland to implement permit charges based on pollution, with gas-guzzling car owners facing charges as much as double those of environmentally friendly vehicles.

Although diesel cars were previously considered more eco-friendly as they emit less carbon, there are increasing concerns about the number of small polluting particles they produce.

A report for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs this month said the government should encourage "small, modern petrol vehicles, petrol hybrids and electric vehicles in urban areas in place of diesel vehicles".

AA president Edmund King criticised the move, saying: "Punishing someone for owning a diesel car that produces up to 20 per cent less CO2 than the petrol version is ludicrous. Councils are plundering residents' parking for money to balance their budgets."

Campaign group Environmental Protection UK said: "Local authorities in the most polluted urban locations must start encouraging residents to choose petrol over diesel."