Angry traders fear proposals to increase car parking tariffs could kill Braintree town centre.

Braintree Council announced in August that it needed to make further budget cuts to close a £1.5million shortfall across 2015/16 and 2016/17, following a reduction in central government funding.

A breakdown of how the council proposes to make the savings has now been revealed, with increased parking charges among the ideas put forward.

The council has refused to disclose the amount tariffs could rise but described them as “reasonable increases to bring us in line with other authorities”.

Independent businesses claim the charges, which could raise an extra £80,000 in 2014/15, would drive people to supermarkets and out of town retail parks.