Charges will double for the highest polluting cars

In what is thought to be the first referendum of its kind in the city, 56% of Islington residents backed the move.

Parking charges will be set according to CO2 emissions, with costs for the highest polluters doubling.

Council leader James Kempton said they had had a "great response" which showed climate change was "right at the top of the political agenda".

He said the policy was designed to encourage people to choose less polluting cars and would not increase the council's income from parking charges.

"It's about saying... we have got the message from the residents of our borough... that's got repercussions, not just for Islington, but throughout the whole of London," he said.

Until now residents paid �95 for an annual parking permit, with a �20 discount for vehicles with engine capacities less than 1400cc or those powered by a greener fuel source.