Parking charge increases have been branded discriminatory by frustrated residents.

An increase in charges across Merton has been proposed, with public consultation on the plans set to take place in the next few months.

The proposal would see on street parking in Wimbledon rise to £4.50 an hour from £1.20-2.40.

Parking permits and charges in council car parks are also set to rise.

At a meeting of the council’s sustainable communities overview and scrutiny panel, one resident, Sara Sharp, spoke in objection to the plans.

She said: “These proposals are at best discriminatory, given the argument that you present linking them to air quality.

“The argument is that those in areas of higher public transport accessibility will pay double than those in lower areas.

“Where is the evidence that those in higher PTAL areas are actually the worst pollution offenders and accordingly have to pay double, or more as in Wimbledon’s case.”

Ms Sharp was asked whether there was evidence that increasing charges would reduce pollution in the borough.

She added: “The issue of air quality in Merton is down to traffic and these discriminatory proposals won’t have the slightest effect on reducing pollution.

“Have you thought of the counter reaction? It may do more harm than good because drivers may be less inclined to use public transport or active travel if they are paying extra to have a car they may as well use it to justify the extra permit charge – it is human nature.

“People will be paving over their front gardens to avoid paying the council anything and that won’t help air quality or the environment in any possible way.

“You need to rethink how you are charging because frankly it is discriminatory it has zero impact on the environment and it is well above the inflation rate and frankly none of our salaries are going up.”

Helen Clark Bell on behalf of Love Wimbledon also raised concerns about the proposals.

She said the the business community had not been involved in the development of the strategy and is worried that it could affect trade in the town centre.

She added: “Parking in Soho costs 4.90 an hour and Wimbledon will cost £4.50 an hour, are we really equating these destinations?

“The quality of town centre parking is also extremely poor, it is not well lit and substandard services are not well maintained.

“St George’s Road regularly attracts anti social activity and entrances are very poor

“A 100% rise in charges for the Wimbledon Theatre car park where footfall is low is absolutely unacceptable.”

A report which went to the panel shows that nitrogen dioxide pollution in some areas breaches EU limits.

The council has identified ‘air quality focus areas’ in Mitcham, Morden, Raynes Park and Wimbledon which have high levels of pollution.

In response to concerns, head of parking at Merton Council, Ben Stephens said: “I do recognise that the charges will ignite a mixture of opposition and support, probably more opposition

"But you only get the sort of change that you need, in terms of air quality, by implementing radical initiatives.”

He said the council is also looking into other ways to reduce air pollution in the borough.

In a carrot and stick metaphor, Cllr Daniel Holden accused the council of “using a stick to beat people in Wimbledon”, rather than encouraging them to ditch the cars “with a carrot”.

Mr Stephens hit back stressing that Merton Council had already invested in initiatives to encourage more cycling.

Cllr Anthony Fairclough put forward a motion that the controversial proposal should be referred to full council to be debated, which was seconded by Cllr Holden.

The motion fell as did two others referencing discrimination in the proposal.

The final recommendation was that cabinet approves consultation and further evidence on the proposal is provided.

It was backed with five votes for, two against and one abstention.

Comments from the committee will go back to cabinet on Monday (January 14).