A scheme set to increase the cost for residents with high carbon emitting cars to park outside their homes is a step closer, after the council revealed almost half of residents support the idea.

In October, Richmond upon Thames Council announced a groundbreaking plan to charge residents who live in controlled parking zones (CPZs) more to park if their cars produced high CO2 emissions, and less if they produced low emissions, with second cars charged at 50 per cent more.

About 3,500 residents and 1,500 businesses were consulted and the council announced 49 per cent of residents supported the plans, while 39 per cent opposed them.

But these figures have been attacked by opponents of the scheme who say they only relate to the council's official questionnaire and ignore some opinions.

Almost 1,600 residents responded but 1,000 do not live in CPZs, while a further 166 do not buy permits.

Nearly 400 businesses replied, with less than a third in favour and almost 50 per cent opposed to the scheme. More than 2,000 further responses were received by email and letter.

Opposition groups said 2,200 of the 4,163 replies were against the scheme, 52 per cent, with only 41 per cent in favour.

Coun Martin Seymour, Conservative transport spokesperson, said: "I absolutely reject the idea that some people's votes count more than others.

"These figures are taken from their own consultation, they must be held to it. Even though the majority of those consulted will not actually be affected."

Conservative leader Coun Nick True has called for every resident directly affected to be consulted before the council consider proceeding and the Association of British Drivers (ABD), who lobby on behalf of drivers, said the council were attempting to mislead public opinion.

Coun Serge Lourie, leader of Richmond council, said he was delighted with the public response and particularly encouraged that 64 per cent of residents would be prepared to switch to a less polluting vehicle.

He added that although businesses were not in favour he was pleased they would alter their behaviour if measures were introduced.

"These proposals were always going to spark a fierce debate; we have never had any illusions about that," he continued.

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

"The survey we conducted was statistically valid and almost 50 per cent of people responded, it is a pretty accurate representation of opinion."

Coun Lourie admitted he was concerned that when letters and emails were taken into acount the response was negative but said opponents of the scheme, including ABD, had run a concerted campaign and written to many residents.

He said he expected there to be more opponents than supporters who had taken the time to write letters and emails.

"Climate change is the single most important issue facing our world today," he added. "Our proposed CO2 charging scheme has always been about much more than Richmond upon Thames. We said from the very outset that we hoped to provide a national lead that other authorities would follow. If policies like this are to have a real effect in the long term then everyone must adopt them."

The council's environment overview and scrutiny committee will consider the results of the consultation next Wednesday, January 24, and the council's executive is set to make a final decision on January 29.

Coun Lourie added that if the necessary support was received the new rules were expected to be in place within three months.