CONTROVERSIAL plans to push up car parking prices and introduce evening charges in Southampton have coming under a scathing attack.

Councillors branded the Lib Dem scheme "absolute madness", "nonsense" and "a slap in the face for drivers" during a city council meeting Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Residents also warned that voluntary groups that meet in the evening would perish and visitors would stay away from the pricey city.

City bosses announced last week that they were planning to hike car-parking costs by a massive 33 per cent and for the first time, motorists visiting the city after 5.30pm would have to fork out for parking.

The suggestion has triggered outrage among city centre residents, church groups and businesses.

Marian Hubble, a member of the City of Southampton Society, told the meeting: "In two days time I shall be speaking at a gathering to promote Southampton.

''But evening charges are going to stop people wanting to come here."

She added: "This will infuriate the residents. A lot of organisations will perish. Many churches have evening activities and I think people will simply not turn out to these meetings."

Labour councillor Jacqui Rayment said: "It's a nonsense. Night-time economy will suffer, evening groups will suffer, residents will suffer."

Tory group leader Councillor Alec Samuels also slammed the "money making scheme", which he dubbed as "another tax on our people".

But Councillor Jill Baston, responsible for transport in the city, ins-isted the price hike and late-night charges were about traffic management. She said: "We have to supply enforcement to deal with people parking in inappropriate places and that means paying."

She added that the 33 per cent rise claim was exaggerated, saying: "Overall if you look at the increases, you will find in fact they amount to under ten per cent over the four years since they were last renewed, which is pretty much in line with inflation, possibly even slightly less."

City streets, split into central , middle and outer areas, could see boosted costs from 8.30am to 10.30pm, Monday to Saturday and from midday to 10.30pm on Sundays.

Councillors will look again at the controversial plans later this month.

What do you think of the proposed parking charges and are you affected by them? Call Claire Moriarty on 023 8042 4495 or e-mail claire.moriarty@soton-echo.co.uk.