FURIOUS campaigners fear shoppers are being turned away from town centres in the Rochford district because of car parking charges.

The fees have been re-introduced across the district since the weekend after a two-month suspension.

However, here are now fears shoppers will be put off because of “additional costs”.

Frustrated residents say social distancing guidelines in shops in Rayleigh High Street mean shoppers queue outside before buying what they need and the extra time to carry out shopping has not been taken into account by Rochford Council.

James Newport, councillor for the Downhall and Rawreth ward, has fielded dozens of questions since the weekend, and has urged the council to rethink its parking charges, saying: “One shopper told me she queued for just under an hour outside the chemist on the high street to pick up a prescription.

“She paid £1.20 for an hour’s parking. She only just made it back in time.

“If people have to wait in queues for hours and still pay for parking, damage will be done to the economy.

“People are being forced to pay for more time than they need.

“The cost of parking an hour isn’t too bad, but if you have to pay for two hours parking instead, it’s shocking.

“The fees will put people off using the high street and will turn them away.

“Businesses need all the help and support they can get. They’ve gone a significant amount of time without any revenue.

“Some businesses were not eligible for the grants. The council should be supporting residents and businesses equally and at the same time.

Residents took to social media to express their concern at the council’s parking fees, with one commenting: “I’ll be staying out of Rayleigh. I’m not paying to queue.

“To buy local is best, but not the car parking charges.”

Another furiously wrote: “You either get barely any time to actually do your shopping after queuing - or you have to spend a fortune to be able to do it. If the council is going to charge, [it] should at least allow extra time.”

Rochford Council was contacted for comment but did not respond.