THOUSANDS have criticised Southend Council for parking charges with planned permit restrictions also angering residents.

A petition about parking charges in Southend has been signed by thousands and handed into the council.

Echo:

Handover - the petition was launched after summer parking charges came into effect on April 1

The petition was launched after summer parking charges came into effect on April 1, which increases the price of a two-hour stay in the town from £2.20 to £2.90.

Councillor Brian Ayling handed the petition in to the council on Wednesday night after it was signed by 1,824 people.

It was one of two with Mr Ayling claiming the charges are “costing businesses a lot of trade”.

Deputy Council leader James Courtenay defended the decision claiming the money raised is spent on the high street and lower charges would mean cuts elsewhere.

My Ayling handed in a second petition calling for two hours free parking in the town centre, a measure Mr Courtenay said would cost the council £1.6million.

At the same meeting Councillor Andrew Moring, chairman of the traffic regulations working party, refused to consider changes to the restriction of 100 parking permits for a year.

The policy was questioned by a family but Mr Moring claimed the restrictions had to be introduced so the system was not abused by families and the permits remained for their “correct purposes”.

He said: “I can confirm the restriction on visitor permits is not in place for your household only.”

He added: “Visitors permits are in books of 20 vouchers and residents within parking scheme areas can apply for up to five books per year, per household.

“This restriction ensure parking spaces are used for their correct purposes and ensuring curb space is available for residents of the borough.

“There are however various parking spaces in the borough via pay and display, on-street parking and in car parks should you feel you need other spaces to park.

“The visitors parking scheme represents great value for money.”

He added if “ordinary residents” choose to buy a home in a built up area then space will be restricted.