SOUTHEND Labour’s plan to introduce seafront parking discounts will do nothing to appease “angry as hell” residents, a leading businessman has said.

On Tuesday, Labour announced it would slash seafront parking charges by up to 50 per cent and reconsider evening parking charges during the winter months if elected in May.

The pledge came days after Labour and other opposition councillors “hijacked” the Tory’s 2024/25 budget with a list of amendments, including reinstating the 6pm to 9pm seafront parking charges scrapped by the Tories last year.

Philip Miller, owner of Adventure Island, slammed the plans as “ripping off working people”, but Daniel Cowan, leader of the Labour party, has insisted there has been a “positive response” from residents.

Mr Miller said: “I doubt if the Labour Liberal and independent groups realise locals use the seafront more in summer than winter. The grey pound fills the Pier day after day, the Cliffs Pavilion, Arches cafes, Rossi’s are all full of locals, we ourselves have double digit thousands of local annual pass customers who are angry as hell about the proposed increased charges.

“They are backtracking and have finally woken up to the idea that ripping off working people is not conducive to winning elections.”

Mr Miller added: “ Seaside parking brings in three quarters of all parking revenue amounting to around four million pounds annually. There is a limit on how many times you can go to the well.

“A couple of bob off in the middle of December will not in any way make up for the summer overcharging.”

Kevin Buck, councillor for highways, transport and parking, was equally scathing. He said: “I’m struggling to understand the hypocrisy of this announcement, given that Daniel Cowan and the Labour group were pivotal in supporting the reintroduction of the hugely damaging 6pm to 9pm parking charges a few weeks ago in the council budget.

“If Labour want to support the seafront all year round, they should commit to removing these damaging evening charges.”

Mr Cowan said: “We have noticed an overwhelmingly understanding and positive response from residents who realise the need to deliver more income in order to deliver the services they care about.

“With regard to the seasonal parking, this is something we’ve long wanted. If we take over the administration in May it will be the first time Labour has held the highways portfolio so this will be our first opportunity to do this.”