CAR parking increases on Southend seafront are because visitors to the seafront “trashed the place” in the summer, costing the council millions, it has been revealed.

Southend Council plans to increase some charges at seafront car parks as part of their new budget, but bosses insist this is down to ensuring visitors “contribute” and the people of Southend are “treated fairly.”

This follows the launch of a campaign by the council in the summer to stop visitors to the town’s beaches leaving tonnes of waste behind.

And now Martin Terry, councillor in charge community safety, told the Echo how “it’s only fair” that visitors, who don’t buy the new parking pass, pay more than they used to.

He said: “Overall, parking charges are decreasing across the town.

“Why should residents in Southend foot the bill for when visitors ruin it. 

“It’s not fair. The parking increase won’t make a difference to visitor numbers either.

“We have a contract to maintain with Veolia.

“It’s only fair.”

The only major increases to parking, is on Southend seafront, with a jump of £12 to £24 for drivers parking in the Fairheads Green or Eastern Esplanade car park for more than seven hours at a time.

However charges for up to one hour and three hours have both decreased in the same two car parks.

Southend’s Tories have slammed the new parking pass and the parking hikes, claiming it will turn visitors away from the town.

But Ron Woodley, deputy leader, has hit back, and offered increased dialogue between the council and Adventure Island.

The Independent council hoped the parking pass could be combined with the seafront attractions own seasonal pass to offer more savings to residents. He said:

“There was a huge amount of refuge left on beaches and roads in the summer.

“We need to find a way of generating income without hurting the people of Southend. And visitors without the pass can help contribute towards that.

“The parking pass will save people money and the parking charges will help us ringfence money to improve pavements and roads.

“The parking pass is a fantastic idea, the town centre traders and hotels are over the moon with it.

“The average time people spend on the seafront is five hours.

“We have other beaches in Southend, the parking charges are decreasing on those.

“The seafront traders have refused to discuss it. I’ve only had emails, no offer of a meeting. 

“Adventure Island need to talk to us too. There could be a lot of savings there.”
Southend Council insist the parking pass is for residents and “regular visitors of the town.”

Phillip Miller MBE, the owner of Adventure Island, said: “His price for parking is over £100 if you can find a spot. That’s without doubling parking fees to £24 daily, and extending payment until ten o’clock at night. 

“Why would we want to associate ourselves with this protection racket? Our customer base is both local and visitors, how do you tell the difference? 

“The feedback we are receiving is it’s a non-starter. 

“I wonder what market research was undertaken and how much this scheme has cost to put together?”