PLANS to hike the price of the parking permits by 67 per cent have been agreed by the cabinet of Redbridge Council despite protests by residents.

The council wants to raise £50,000 a year through increasing the charges in Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) despite promises when they were introduced that charges would cover only administrative costs.

As the cabinet met to discus this year's council budget Hainault resident David Paul told them: "A 67 per cent increase for the first car cannot be justified because this should be based solely on the cost of the scheme."

However, councillor Peter Goody, cabinet member for Highways and Cleansing, said that the rise is in line with other London boroughs which charge residents anything from £45 to £280 to park in their road.

He added: "Our charges in comparison to most in the other London boroughs are pretty well in the middle of the road. This is why I continue to put it forward in my proposals. Less than a pound a week seems to me a minimal charge for the benefits you receive."

If approved by full council on March 6, residents will be charged £50 instead of £30 a year for a single car, and £70 instead of £50 for a second car, while the price for any subsequent vehicle would go up from £50 to £90.

Council Leader Alan Weinberg added: "I don't consider 15p a day for a parking permit that allows you to park outside your home is excessive. What the hell is 15p a day to have a right that I don't have outside my house?"

Mr Paul also warned cabinet members that plans to put a pay and display machine in Manford Way, Hainault, will only move drivers on to shop elsewhere.

He said: "Parking has been easier since the introduction of more parking bays, but if pay and display is introduced some of the shops may well close. This will be felt by the whole community."