A national group lobbying for drivers has started a leafletting campaign in Richmond encouraging motorists to reject the council's new parking proposals.

Earlier this week Richmond upon Thames Council distributed a survey to 3,500 residents and 1,500 businesses, as well as writing to every resident who lives in a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ), for their thoughts on an emission-based structure for parking permits and a differential structure for second and subsequent permits.

But the Association of British Drivers (ABD), who were established to provide an active voice to lobby on behalf of Britain's drivers, have been distributing leaflets across the borough urging residents to say no to the proposals.

Roger Lawson, London region co-ordinator of ABD, said: "We think this is a simple attack on the rights of motorists not a way of tackling global warming or CO2 emissions. It will have an imperceptible impact on CO2 emissions, it is an excuse for raising money from a very small majority of people in Richmond.

"We are trying to cover every single street in the borough where there is any permit parking, I have printed 6,000 leaflets but it is a slow process as there are only half a dozen volunteers.

"We are encouraging the democratic process, a number of residents who received these documents typically don't respond. We are trying to make sure everybody is aware that this is going on."

Councillor David Marlow, deputy leader of Richmond Conservatives who have labelled the consultation flawed, said the decision should not be rushed and called it an "unfair tax".

He said: "Such a radical change, which the Liberal Democrats did not mention in their election campaign six months ago, should be introduced only if it has the full-hearted assent of local residents.

"Only 3,500 residents are to receive a questionnaire, residents living in CPZs will simply receive a letter, surely a questionnaire should be sent to residents who are directly affected."

Coun Marlow questioned whether the consultation document would be fair and called on the council's scrutiny committee to look at it again.

"We are demanding that all affected residents are fully consulted, issued with a fair summary of the situation and, as the Christmas season begins, given enough time to respond," said Coun Marlow.

Coun David Trigg, Richmond council cabinet member for traffic, transport and parking, said: "To clarify Coun Marlow's statement, 27,000 questionnaires and letters have gone out through the borough. Residents can also write, email or use the council's website to make representations.

"This is one of the widest consultations we have had in the borough. It would really be helpful if, instead of political stonethrowing, Coun Marlow joined the debate from a point of positive criticism."

Coun Trigg added that he was aware, having received communication from the ABD, of their views but firmly believed that what was being done to address CO2 emissions and global warming was right.