Free car parking across Castle Point looks set to be virtually scrapped in a controversial bid to boost council coffers.

The cash-strapped authority is looking to introduce charges at many of its free car parks and increase prices at others to raise an extra £100,000 this year.

John Waugh, the council's borough secretary, said the highways committee had a duty to find the extra money to help balance the authority's books. The council is facing a £1.25 million deficit this year.

Some of the cash will pay for new ticket machines at the car parks while more money will eventually be used to upgrade facilities.

Mr Waugh said: "We realise this can be an emotive issue and some of the charges will be considered controversial. I think most people are conscious there is virtually not a car park in the country where paying isn't the norm."

Charges of 20 pence per hour are expected to be brought in at Benfleet's Hart Road, Richmond Hall in Richmond Avenue and Oak Road from June 1.

A fee of 20 pence per visit is recommended for Canvey golf course and the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley.

Visitors to Waterside Farm in Somnes Avenue, Canvey, may have to stump up 20 pence for five hours or £1 a day.

Councillors at a special meeting tomorrow night will also be asked to give the go-ahead for charges at nine other car parks, to be introduced at a later date.

Fees of 20p per hour or £1 a day are planned for Thorney Bay Road, Canvey, and Castle Lane in Benfleet.

Other car parks set to be hit include Woodside Park in Woodside Avenue, Benfleet, Smallgains Hall at Smallgains recreation ground, Canvey, Tewkes Creek on Canvey, John H Burrows recreation ground in Rectory Road, Hadleigh, and the Paddocks in Long Road, Canvey.

Tariffs for the council-owned portion of Lubbins car park on Canvey are expected to be set at £1 a day, while the council hopes to raise £36,000 a year by increasing the cost of a day's stay at the School Lane car park in Benfleet by 50p to £3.

The charge for an hour's stay at Rectory Road in Hadleigh is also set to double to 20p to bring in an extra £23,300 per year.

The highways committee will make a final decision on charges on May 17.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.