One-hour parking is set to return to Southend town centre car parks, Southend-on-Sea’s leading councillor responsible for transport has announced.
At Full Council last night (Thursday 18 July), Cllr Ron Woodley said that the administration was intending to partly reverse a decision made in February 2018 to remove the one-hour parking band from town centre car parks.
He also announced that the new administration would be scrapping the current practice of charging Blue Badge-holders from outside the borough to park in council-owned car parks.
Cllr Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, capital and inward investment, said:
“This new administration is listening to local people, businesses and visitors and are pleased to be able to invest in our local economy and support the town centre by returning the one-hour parking band into all our Southend town centre car parks.
“Whilst I would like to implement this immediately, the changes will require the altering of the relevant parking orders, and the subsequent reconfiguration of machines and new signage. We expect this to be in place in October which will support local traders and shoppers in the run up to Christmas.
“We estimate there will be a small loss in income of around £25,000 in this financial year which will be met from our contingency budget. However, we believe that this investment will be worth it given the impact this will have on the vitality of the town centre.
“In addition, the administration will also give consideration to re-introducing the one-hour band to other car parks that currently have a two-hour minimum charge, such as Western Esplanade.
“Just as importantly I am also pleased to announce that we are scrapping the policy whereby Blue Badge-holders who hold a badge issued from outside of the Borough, have had to pay to park in our car parks.
“We are a tourist town and we believe this is unnecessary and damaging and will be removed with almost immediate effect.”
The one-hour parking charge of £1.10 for one hour will be returned in the following car parks:
· Alexandra Street
· Essex Street
· Clarence Road
· University Square
· Warrior Square
· Western Esplanade
· One hour parking is already available in the town centre at the following car parks:
· Beecroft
· Civic Centre North
· London Road North (30 minute and 1 hour parking available)
· Seaway
· Short Street
· Tylers/York Avenue