Green tax on school run
A radical scheme could be introduced by Richmond Council in Surrey to discourage parents from driving their children to school.
The 'school run charge' would levy parents up to £75 per year for driving their kids to school.
It will help cut carbon dioxide emissions in the congested London suburb, says the council.
Worst affected will be the heaviest polluting cars, such as 4x4s and MPVs, while smaller cars will attract a lower charge.
Environmentally friendly cars, such as the Toyota Prius, will be able to tackle the school run without being taxed.
The council plans to introduce the scheme at 13 primary schools in its borough.
To be allowed to park close to the school, parents will have to buy a permit with a cost based on the CO2 level of their car.
Councillor David Trigg said: "It's a practical scheme and we hope people will think whether they need to use their car to take children to school."
However, the proposed scheme has attracted criticism from motoring groups and teacher and parent groups.
The National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations says the scheme will put an unfair burden on parents who have no choice but to drive their children to school.
Edmund King, of the AA, said: "This is just another tax and it's impractical."
Tuesday April 22
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