SOUTHEND Council is set to pocket £6 million from car parking charges, new figures have revealed.

Figures from the RAC Foundation revealed the authority is budgeting for a £6.2million surplus from parking charges in the 2019-20 financial year.

The borough earned £4.5million from parking revenue in 2016/17 rising to £4.8million in 2017/18.

Southend Council has stated in the past it will increasingly rely on parking revenue to help fill the gap from dwindling Government grants.

The figures released from the RAC indicate once costs and expenditure are taken off, the council will earn £6million.

Paul Thompson, former chair of the Southend seafront traders association claimed the council has slowed the town centre economy but is happy to rake in cash from car parks.

He said: “I think there is two sides to every story, obviously the council needs the revenue and income, but the fact is that parking is the only thing they can do to make any money.

“They need more spaces in the town centre and across the town, and then they can reduce the amount they charge per space.

“The council and council officers have been very anti-car parking for the last ten years, but it has a negative affect on the town’s economy. There are too few spaces which charge far too much. People do not want that.

“We need more spaces for less money, then the council still make their funds but businesses can benefit, rather than just having the council come out on top.

“Theoretically, if you doubled the number of spaces, you could half the amount you charge.”

Ron Woodley, cabinet member for transport, capital and inward investment, said: “As a large and popular tourist destination, it is no surprise that Southend has a healthy surplus. This is a good thing, as this is put back into highways works and road resurfacing programmes.

“Many of the places named in the report are also cities and seaside resorts, and it is important to stress that our parking fees are in-line or below many other seaside locations.

“The cabinet is now looking at reviewing parking charges across the town, including exploring the possibility of introducing separated visitor and resident charging rates. This would benefit local residents and reflect the substantial clean-up costs the council faces after busy days on the seafront.”