It says London Mayor Ken Livingstone should rethink the proposals because they will have wide repercussions for the UK's hauliers and business vehicles, more than half of which travel through the capital at least once a year.

Under the plans, daily charges for non-compliant heavy goods vehicles travelling within the LEZ would range between £100 and £200 from next year.

Steve Collie from the FSB said:

"The FSB fully supports the aim of the Mayor to reduce pollution in London. However, this scheme is too complicated and it is in danger of catching many businesses by surprise.

"The Mayor needs to listen to the employers that will be affected so that his proposal does not put jobs at risk. He should amend the scheme to one commencement date, which he should put back until July 2008, and make more effort to publicise the LEZ across the UK."