ANGRY motorists claim Southend Council is pricing them out of driving to work after the cost of an annual parking permit rose from £550 to £850.

Drivers who held annual parking permits for the now-defunct Farringdon multi-storey, in Elmer Approach, were transferred to other car parks when it closed last November at no extra cost.

While the Farringdon passes cost £550 annually, motorists whose passes have expired have now been told they must pay £850 for a pass to use several town centre car parks, with a single-location pass no longer available.

Marie Boggis, a customer services adviser at a bank in the High Street, drives in from her home off London Road, Westcliff, and was incensed when told of the changes when she applied to the council for a new permit.

She said: “They are losing income hand over fist simply because it’s a 55 per cent rise and people in Southend can’t afford it. People are now clogging the streets into Southend because they can’t afford the charges, which is ridiculous.”

A male colleague, who asked not to be named, said when his permit expired in June he began parking near the Cliffs Pavilion and walking in as he could not afford a new one.

Mrs Boggis was told to use Warrior Square car park after Farringdon closed, but her permit will expire next month and she cannot afford the new charge.

She said: “When we were first transferred it was packed, but now there’s loads of room, so it looks like the people who had permits have not renewed them. They need to give us a break because it’s not fair.

“The workers in the High Street bring shoppers in for the services we provide, we help drive the town’s economy. We want to work but they are making it harder and harder for people to do that. I want my independence and I don’t mind paying for it, but not as much as this.

“Workers in Southend don’t need flexibility. They just want to park their car somewhere safe and go to work.”

Zulfiqar Ali, Southend Council’s traffic manager, said: “The £500-a-year permit was only available to motorists using the Farringdon car park. Prior to the demolition of the car park, permit holders were informed they could use Warrior Square car park until their permits expired.

“The £850-a-year Zone A permit enables the holder to park in nearly all car parks across the borough – including the town centre car parks at Warrior Square Gardens, Clarence Road, Essex Street and Alexandra Street and represents good value.

“The University Square and Tylers Avenue car parks are not suitable for permit parking because these are barrier-controlled “Pay on Exit” car parks.

“A Zone B permit is also available for £700 which doesn’t include the town centre car parks but allows holders to park in Baxter Street car park which is a short walk away from the town centre.”