A TORY councillor has quit over the state of the High Street, parking charges, treatment of traders and Brexit.

Trevor Byford claims his now former party are letting down the country and the town.

The Southend West Councillor said: “As of March 19 I have resigned from the Conservative group because I am very disappointed with the way the Conservative Government has performed regarding Brexit.

“I am frustrated with the local Conservative administration where they have put people off visiting Southend High Street with high parking charges and proposing buildings that may or may not be of benefit to the High Street.

“I understand people are now frightened to go to Southend because of the knife crime epidemic and their attitude to seafront traders.

“I think Southend should be run more like a business to make money through our world class assets like the pier and then hopefully use that money to reduce the council tax burden for local people.

He will stand as an independent.

Tory leader councillor James Courtenay responded: “I am disappointed with some of his comments and I disagree with them. I am disappointed he didn’t raise them with myself or John Lamb when he was a senior councillor.

“It is like he is criticising himself. I don’t agree the council has a detrimental effect on High Street or seafront.

“We have introduced new short stay cheap car parks and will have first class establishments with the Seaways development.”