FREE car parking could be axed in three villages.

Officers at Braintree Council have recommended charging be introduced at sites in Earls Colne, Sible Hedingham and Coggeshall, unless the respective parish councils agree to take them on.

The authority is looking to increase income from parking because its revenue has been hit by the recession.

The district council says it could make £74,550 over 50 weeks, based on the three car parks being half full over six days, making £3.50 per bay.

Graham Butland, leader of the district council, said: “We would give the car parks to the parish councils, but they would have to pay for the maintenance.

“Local people could decide whether they wanted to pay parking charges or whether they wanted to put it on the parish council precept. If the parish councils introduce charges, there would be an agreement whereby Braintree Council would get a percentage of the charges.” Braintree Council cabinet will make a decision on Monday.

Jo Beavis, chairman of Sible Hedingham Parish Council, said: “We would be disappointed to see charges.

“It may be we can come to an agreement with Braintree Council and it would hand over the land to us.”

John Bendall, chairman of Earls Colne Parish Council, said: “We don’t want charging because we have a big enough problem with cars parking on the street as it is.”