Car drivers are choosing to get parking fines because it is cheaper than buying tickets, according to reports.

Some are paying £40 fines because they are cheaper than paying for parking bays, reports the Nottingham Post. Those who park in Islington in North London now have to pay almost £13 for a bay.

The charges are based on how 'polluting' the vehicle is - so diesel drivers can pay £64.25 to park for just five hours. That means it is cheaper to not buy a ticket and pay the £40 fine instead if drivers are parking for a whole day - such as for work.

Islington is one of a number of councils across the country which now charges how much you pay for parking based on how 'green' your car is. Drivers with electric cars pay less while drivers with larger or older cars, or those that use diesel, pay more.

Plumber Tony Lockhart told MailOnline the parking charges are 'killing people and businesses''. He added: "But it goes further than that. It's class warfare. They simply don't want working-class people like me in London."

The 45-year-old said he had turned down jobs because they would not make money.

Tradesman Michael Ovppong, 43, said his boss sometimes allowed him to take a fine because it's cheaper than paying the extra cost. He also said it was 'impossible' to keep moving the car every two hours in spaces with a time limit. Other traders said they were avoiding parking their vans, while some said they were considering giving up their job.

Some labelled the diesel surcharge 'greedy' and a 'cash grab'. In London, the parking charges are on top of the expanded ULEZ scheme which charges people for driving anywhere around Greater London - with a charge of £12.50 a day.

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