Suggestions the new Conservative council had no mandate to scrap the controversial CO2-based parking permit scheme have been rejected.

On Monday, Richmond Council’s new cabinet officially ended the scheme – where residents pay different amounts to park in controlled parking zones (CPZs) based on their car’s carbon emissions – as part of a series of parking changes.

Richmond Liberal Democrats, who introduced the scheme, criticised the new administration for not carrying out any formal consultation.

Councillor Stephen Knight, Richmond Liberal Democrats’ leader, said: “The Conservatives made a specific election promise to consult on all transport policies and they have already broken it by scrapping the council’s green policies.”

He added the Tories should not “hide behind” a manifesto that many residents may not have read and launched a “consultation watch” to highlight when the council did not ask the public.

It was revealed last week the plans – which include a flat fee for CPZ permits and borough residents getting 30 minutes’ free parking – will cost the council about £241,000 a year. A one-off £90,000 cost of changing parking meters will also be made and Coun Knight said this made it especially important to consult.

Councillor Nick True, Richmond Council leader, said there would be a statutory consultation and said the election result, where his party won control, gave them the authority to make the changes.

He said: “Our proposals to scrap the CPZ tax was set out in detail [in our manifesto] and we had a clear mandate from the electorate. It was one of the major issues on the doorsteps and we have a mandate to do it. It was a big thing with everyone we spoke to, their policy manifestly failed to meet its ideals.”

As part of the changes, Richmond Card users will get 10 per cent discounts on all parking while any drivers over 75 will get a 20 per cent discount. However, charges are set to rise with a 5 per cent increase in the cost of parking less than two hours, a 10 per cent increase in two to six-hour stays and a 15 per cent increase for parking more than six hours.

Councillor Jerry Elloy, Richmond Liberal Democrats’ traffic, transport and parking spokesman, said the new system “replaces one complicated system with another”.

James Page, from Richmond Green Party, urged the council to retain the link between high-emitting cars and higher charges and said it was not clear whether the lowest-emitting cars would be free, when it said they would be in the manifesto.