Drivers are set to benefit from slashed parking charges across Southend after a pledge by the new Tory administration.

On-street parking could be returned to 1999-2000 price levels, in a drive to boost town centre trade.

Parking meter charges in the south of the town centre would revert to 20p for 20 minutes - instead of the 15 minutes previously agreed by Labour and the Lib Dems.

In other parts of the town centre - using ticket-issuing machines - half-hourly parking charges will go back from 40p to 30p.

The price for Shorefield Road car park will also be cut and season tickets will be sold at last year's prices.

The reduction could cost around £100,000 income a year, last night's economic scrutiny committee heard.

Council leader Charles Latham said: "We're not cutting other services but are using general contingency funds."

These general funds - left from the previous administration - total £250,000.

Mac Felton (Lab, Milton) was worried about the problem of lost revenue occurring again next year. Mr Latham replied that the following year's budget might be different and funds could be found in other ways.

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