CAR parks on Canvey seafront are set to charge people all year round.

The car parks are currently free off season between September 30 and Good Friday.

Castle Point Council wants to change this to raise £100,000 extra.

The proposal, due to be discussed at a cabinet meeting tonight, would see visitors charged 60p for an hour and up to £4 for three hours.

New off-street parking for the seafront will also be discussed near Western Esplanade and Thorney Bay.

Joan Thomas, 55, of Long Road, Canvey, said: “I have always thought the free parking in the winter was a great way to attract people to the front during the quieter winter months.

“It is never overwhelmingly busy, so I am not sure where they will make all this additional money.

“But I suppose if this major work at the front goes ahead, it will make a difference.

“As usual, it seems the council are happy to charge us more and celebrate making a little extra.”

The car parking proposals are reliant on the major plans for the redevelopment of Canvey’s seafront, and could see charges added to on-street parking at Western Esplanade, with it rebranded an “overspill car park”.

The council report reads: “The Canvey seafront masterplan envisages an extended car park at Thorney Bay and the provision of off street overspill car parking along the length of Western Esplanade.

“The Off Street Parking Order will need to be amended to incorporate these new areas so that compliance with usage conditions can be enforced once they become operational.

“The proposed introduction of a year round modest charge for seafront car parking is consistent with the masterplan vision of making Canvey seafront a year round visitor destination and the additional income will help to offset the cost of extending and operating the seafront car parks and other seafront amenities.”

However the increase in car parking charges is the only part of the masterplan currently due to take place on the seafront.