PLANS to give parking permits to residents in Southchurch and Thorpe Bay could be ditched.

Southend Council has sent letters to more than 2,000 homes explaining the decision was due to a lack of support for the idea.

Last year, residents expressed concern after council chiefs revealed pay-and-display mach-ines were to be introduced in Eastern Esplanade, Thorpe Esplanade and around Southend East railway station.

This led to fears residential streets would be swamped by commuters and tourists looking for free parking.

Janice Robinson, 45, of Riviera Drive, Southchurch, can’t understand how there is a lack of support among residents. She said: “If we don’t get permits, it will be an absolute nightmare.

“All the people who already park in these bays will not want to starting paying for them.

“They’ll be looking for other spots instead, and that will mean we won’t be able to park outside our homes.”

Ron Woodley, an Independent councillor for Thorpe, added: “The indications I had were that most people supported this scheme. They wanted it because they will lose all protection without it.”

The results of the consultation are due to be reported on March 8, when councillors will officially make up their minds on whether it should go-ahead.

However, the letters sent to households implied the scheme had already been cancelled because not enough people had written to the council to support it.

Tony Cox, the Tory councillor responsible for transport, said the letters were sent out by mistake.

He said: “It was a simple administrative error. The letters should not have been sent out when they were.

“The final decision will rest with the working party, as it always does.”