AN environmental group has called for an increase in parking charges and a reduction in out of town shopping centres in Southend to tackle pollution.

Following calls for a public transport system similar to Brighton’s circle-line bus route and tram lines, the South East Essex Friends of the Earth said parking charges in the town should also reflect that of Brighton.

Drivers in Southend, which has a minimum parking time of two hours, pay at least £1.90 in town car parks and £2.90 to park for two hours on the seafront.

In Brighton hourly charges are £1.50 and £3.60p respectively.

Jon Fuller, from the campaign group, said: “Car parking charges are one of many tools that can be used to nudge us out of our cars, but there are many factors to consider and constraints upon using the policy.

“I mention Brighton as an example of a town that charges more than Southend for car parking but still enjoys healthy tourism numbers and large numbers of shoppers in the centre.

“Our experience here in south Essex is very different and more complex

“Successive administrations have policies to support traditional High Street retail centres but all have approved out of town or edge of town retail parks.

“With free car parking at Lakeside, Mayflower on the A127 and the airport retail park for example, the traditional town centres have come under immense pressure to attract and retain shoppers.

“Because of this we have a real problem in being able to deploy increased car parking charges as a means to reduce car use and increase use of public transport.

“So my first message is if you are in a hole – stop digging.

“It is utterly bonkers for Southend Council to approve a shopping complex at the new Fossetts farm site because this will further damage High Street trade and increase car use.

“The first step must be for councils across south Essex to stop approving new edge of town retail stores.”

However the business community is concerned about the suggestion.

Dawn Jeakings, chairman of Southend BID said: “Any cost that deters visitors from the High Street and therefore visiting businesses, is not a good idea.

“Though the environment is important, the trading area is too.

“Increasing car parking charges is not the solution.

“Public transport needs to be re-evaluated on a larger scale and a strategy implemented to help the environment on the whole.”

Mark Flewitt, councillor responsible for public protection said increased parking charges would be problematic but not entirely out of the question.

He said: “I would be prepared to look at anything to cut levels of nitrogen dioxide but the fact is it’s easier, quicker and cheaper to jump in a car than trying to get public transport, particularly at the weekend.

“I’d like to see transport companies do more.

“They have a big role to play with special tickets and offers to deter people using their cars. People are very protective of their vehicles. When people come to Southend for the day it usually involves vehicles.

“I believe, politically, anyone who tried to raise parking charges would be punished but it’s about getting over that and saying we would like to try.

“Air quality is very important and we hope it will improve once we have completed the Bell Junction.

“It’s important to do it because the free flow of traffic means we are less likely to have pollution from stationary vehicles’ exhaust fumes. We have to keep traffic free flowing.”

Rather than rising charges businesses would like to see them lowered, however the council relies on the revenue.

Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island, said: “Parking in Southend is a major subject in itself. It needs someone at the top to get a hold of to resurrect the town before it’s too late. Whether you like it or not we are in the age of the motor car, and cars are the oxygen of local businesses.

“If I were in charge of Southend Council, I would offer free parking on the side streets for two hours, as in Leigh and Thorpe Bay, as this creates trade.

“We could also lose unnecessary double-yellow lines, in order to actually increase street parking.”