CAR parking charges will be frozen this year to help recession-hit traders and boost the local economy.

Southend Council announced the move for all car parks and on-street bays it runs across the town, as part of the budget for the next financial year. But traders and shoppers say charges are too high already and this will not make much difference.

Council leader Nigel Holdcroft said: “We are saying to traders, ‘we know you are having a difficult time’.

“I think it will lead to an increase in income by people coming in to the town and spending money.”

But sceptical traders said fees are already much higher than in other nearby towns like Chelmsford and Basildon.

To park for one hour in the Clarence Road car park is 80p, two hours is £1.60, with similar charges in other off-street car parks.

In Basildon and Wickford at the council-run car parks it costs 40p an hour, 80p for two hours or £2.50 for four hours.

Alan Sanders, who runs Clarence House jewellers in Clarence Street, said: “It’s a total and utter waste of time.

“They couldn’t get away with putting the rates up any more.

“With all the empty units, the High Street is like a ghost town, and it will get worse.

“At Bluewater, there is free parking. On Clarence Street, it costs £12 to £14 to park for one day.”

Paul van Looy, who runs a fish and chip shop in Clifftown Road, said: “I don’t think it will make much difference. It’s over-priced already.

“What they should do in January, February and March is have free parking after 4pm to encourage more people to come into the town to shop.”

Shoppers also felt more should be done to encourage people into the town.

Mark Turffrey, 41, of High Street, Great Wakering, had parked in the Clarence Road car park.

He said: “I think if the council made it one price for everywhere it would make life a lot easier.

“I think there should be more free one-day parking.

“At the moment, I think it is just Christmas Day and Good Friday and it doesn’t exactly encourage you to park here.”

Lynzi Harris, 29, of Crowstone Road, Westcliff, said: “I think freezing the charges is a good thing, but scrapping them all together would be good.

“I come here just because it’s local, but out of choice I would go to Lakeside because parking is free.”

Sally Hunter, 30, of London Road, Stanford-le-Hope, said: “If it stays the same, I don’t think it will make much difference.

“But if the charges went down, then I think you would see more people coming to shop here.”