THE ROW over planned massive price hikes to parking charges in Southampton looks set to intensify this week.

Controversial plans agreed earlier this month could see inner city residents pay £450 for car parking permits.

The scheme would also see drivers pay 50p an hour for night-time parking in the city from April 4 this year. Both services are currently free.

The plans sparked outrage from motorists group the AA and the city's Chamber of Commerce, which says that the plans would damage the city's burgeoning night-time economy.

Now, opposition groups on the council are hoping to force the ruling Liberal Democrat group to scrap the controversial plans.

Angry inner city residents and businesses are also set to present a 1,000-signature petition to councillors at Wednesday's meeting of full council demanding city bosses shelve the plans.

Peter Hannides who owns "George's" restaurant in St Michael Street in the city said: "The most objections we have is to the inconvenience it would cause customers.

"They would have to go into town and pay in the evening. Then, halfway through their meal, they would have to get up and put money in the meter."

Tory councillors are also set to put forward a motion to the full council meeting demanding that the Liberal Democrats scrap their plans.

And on Thursday, members of the council's environment and transport committee are hoping to set in motion the council's rarely used "call in procedure" over the controversial scheme.

If agreed by the committee, it could force the council's ruling executive to think again over the proposals.

Under the current proposals, night-time charges to the city centre would cost motorists 50p an hour from 5.30pm to 10.30pm. A one hour stay at Bedford Place will jump from 90p to £1.20p - up by a third. The new plans will generate an extra £150,000 for city coffers if given the final go-ahead.

Labour group leader Councillor June Bridle told the Daily Echo: "The whole idea is very ill-conceived. We don't believe for one moment that this idea has local support in the city. To make a decision without really thinking is crass stupidity."

City council leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said the council had already addressed the concerns of residents and businesses about the proposed charges.

He said: "No scheme of parking regulations is ever going to be entirely enthusiastically accepted. All that we have to do is to make it as fair and effective as possible."