A COUNCIL has been slammed for increasing charges to car parks which have been left in “an appalling state”.

As of April 1, Castle Point Council will increase the charges at council-owned car parks from 70p per hour to £1 an hour, including the Labworth and Thorney Bay car parks regularly used by visitors to the seafront.

And the council have been accused of benefitting from the work of volunteers to make the seafront desirable by increasing charges there for both residents and visitors.

Colin Letchford, of Friends of Concord Beach, admitted he understand why charges are increasing, but wants to see increases aimed at visitors not residents.

He said: “I think they should up the charges for visitors, but not for residents or even make it free for residents.

“Our car park charges compared to Southend are actually very reasonable, so I would understand why they want to up them.

“But local people, who use the beach all year round, all day long, especially the elderly, should not be punished.

“I don’t have an issue with the car parking charges being put up, but the money should be used to improve the facilities.

“I would hope the money would be used on improving the car parks or improving the facilities on the seafront for the visitors and our residents.”

Canvey Independent councillor Dave Blackwell criticised his council for the increase.

He said: “Look at the appalling state of the Labworth car park. It is flooded like that every single time we have a downpour, and they want to charge people extra to be there?

“The volunteers do so much on the seafront, both the Bay Watch and Friends of Concord Beach, and this is how they are repaid.

“I have never seen the seafront as popular and busy as it is as the moment, but come the first of April they have to pay these extra fees.

“If the council had had an input on the seafront, and had spent the time and money, then maybe you would say okay, but they haven’t it is all the volunteers.”

Castle Point Council did not respond to the Echo’s requests for comment.