Southend motorists will be able to pay a monthly fee to park in any council car parks in the borough from the beginning of October.

The innovative new plan would see drivers having the option to pay a monthly fee of £7 to park in Southend Council car parks and on-street bays for three hours.

Those who want to stay longer can top up at a ticket machine or through mobile app Mobon.

The scheme is being led by the council’s deputy leader Councillor Ron Woodley, who has said he is pushing for it to be introduced within the next four months.

Mr Woodley said: “I want to bring this in by the beginning of October.

“The main positives are that if you wanted to park for something like two hours in the town centre or other areas each week that will probably equal something like this monthly charge which will let you park for up to 12 hours in different locations across the borough every day of the month.

“It is one fee and you will get the option to park anywhere, day in, day out, and as often as you want.”

The scheme would operate using a number plate recognition system, which is part of the cameras installed at Southend car parks. Parking wardens will also have number plate recognition on handheld devices.

Anyone who signs us to the scheme will not have to display a ticket.

Mr Woodley is so confident in the scheme that he has suggested that it should be adopted by councils across the country.

In a letter sent to the Local Government Association (LGA) - a body which represents councils across the country – he has called it a “golden opportunity” to stabilise and increase revenue.

In the letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it says: “This approach using a virtual permit for local people will and should have a major increase in millions of revenue, local residents and businesses will feel they have been listened to, and town centre and local shopping areas will benefit from increased footfall."

The extra income earned through the scheme would be reinvested to repair damaged roads and footpaths.

The letter continues: “Over the years monies spent on these have slowly declined to such an extent that our roads and footways are becoming dangerous to the many vehicles and importantly pedestrians.

“Trip hazards are increasing and residents, especially the elderly, are ending up in hospital and sadly a number do not survive. Relying solely on parking charges and fines that are unreliable is not a way to run a business.”