PEOPLE power could see plans to change the parking in Thorpe Esplanade and near Cliffs Pavilion thrown out.

Southend Council has proposed introducing parking charges in controlled parking bays on Thorpe Esplanade, converting permit parking on Cliffs Pavilion to a combined pay and display scheme and reviewing a seasonal restriction at Clifftown Parade.

The council’s traffic working party will meet on Tuesday to consider whether to continue supporting the plans after receiving feedback from residents.

A council report showed there were 24 objections to the plans, but only two comments in support.

Those supporting the plans said the parking charges will help to generate revenue for the community and prevent traders and motorhomes from parking there for long periods of time.

But a resident who objects to the charges, branded the plans “discriminatory”. Another said the charges would not generate significant income and cause adjacent roads to suffer due to the displaced parking.

Other concerns were that the charges will lead to increased congestion from people trying to find free parking spaces, swimmers will be deterred from using the area and people visiting residents will be charged to park.

Seafront trader Paul Thompson said: “I think it is sensible to try and generate income at the Cliffs Pavilion area. In the past the council has used a sledge hammer to crack a nut, making whole areas resident-only. A dual system allows residents and visitors to park and I would suggest that the council does this with all resident-only areas.”

There are also plans to maintain the resident-only parking around Cliff Pavilion in the eastern section of Cambridge Road and the northern side of Westcliff Parade and Clifftown Parade.

A shared permit holder and pay and display scheme will be implemented on the south side of Clifftown Parade and Westcliff Parade.