PARKING charges across Maldon will increase after councillors voted for proposed changes at a meeting last night.

The vote saw 15 councillors back the proposals, 12 vote against it and one abstain.

It will see charges at town centre car parks and Promenade Park increase by 10 per cent.

The all day rate at Promenade Park will be set at £7.

People visiting the town centre car parks between 5pm and 10pm in the evening and on Sundays will be charged a flat rate of £1.

Linear parking charges will be removed, off street parking permits for residents will be introduced and charging will be introduced at the weekends at the council offices in Princes Road.

Officers will also look to introduce contactless card payments and pay by phone.

All the changes will be reviewed within six months.

Miriam Lewis, presenting her first budget to the council, said: “Our financial position as a council remains strong. We are not in this position by accident or good luck but by by shrewd and prudent financial management over many years.”

David Sismey, chairman of the finance and corporate services committee, told councillors the decision would not make them popular but “with power comes responsibility”.