Frustrated residents are fighting back against proposed parking charges in three Burnham-on-Crouch car parks, with a petition against the move reaching over 500 signatures.

The proposal could see charges applied to the Millfields and Riverside car parks, as well as the Foundry Lane doctors surgery car park. 

Maldon District Council say the charges would support increasing financial pressures and improve consistency of policy across the council's two main towns, highlighting the eight pay and display car parks in Maldon.

The charges are projected to provide an annual net income of £34,00 if based on a 30% use, up to £57,000 if used at 50%.

Residents have hit back at the plans, calling them a "disaster," with one local councillor expressing how the plans could "have a negative, if not catastrophic effect" on local businesses. 

Maldon District Council will discuss variations of the proposals in the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting on Thursday, January 23. 

The proposed charges are as seen below:

Foundry Lane, Millfields & Riverside:

Band A (1hr): £1.10

Band B (1 to 2hr): £1.60

Band C (2 to 3hr): £2.10

Band D (3 to 4hr): £3.20

Sunday and Bank Holiday: £2

Just Millfields & Riverside:

All Day: £5.30

One concession to be discussed at Thursday's meeting includes making six car parking spaces available for free use for up to two hours at Foundry Lane to support residents to use the GP surgery.

This would mirror the approach used in the Maldon Council Offices Visitor Parking, but would slightly lower the annual net income from the charges.

The petition is open until January 31, and is available here.

What are your thoughts on the car parking charges? Are they fair, or would they negatively effect the town?

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