CONTROVERSIAL evening and weekend parking charges are set to stay after just eight people responded to a review of the changes.

In April last year Maldon District Council introduced £1 charges for Sundays and evenings between 5pm and 10pm.

Visitors also faced an increase in fees by ten per cent.

The proposals were passed by just three votes in February last year after councillors heard the changes would raise £124,000 and address a funding gap.

Free parking at the council office car park in Princes Road at the weekend was also scrapped in favour of charges which were set at the same rate as Butt Lane.

A working group was set up to review the changes after church groups and businesses hit out at the plans.

The group carried out a survey between August and January but received just six responses from community groups and two responses from churches.

A report, which will go before the council’s community services committee, said: “The six that did respond said that the increased charges would be likely to have a negative impact on their activities.

“However it was also felt that if only six people have responded than it may not be an issue which concerns people enough to warrant responding.”

It added: “With regard to the Religious Community no firm evidence was presented to the working group on the impact on Church attendance by volunteers or worshipers.”

Data showing the use of the car park before and after the changes showed “no demonstrable evidence” that the charges increase and evening and weekend charges had “any material effect upon those raising initial concerns.”

The committee is being asked to note the report and agree to wind up the parking working group.

A separate annual parking liaison group, formed of councillors, officers and community members, will be set up.

Richard Holmes, Director or Customers and Community, said; “The Council is grateful to the community groups, voluntary sector, religious and business groups who have so actively participated in the Car Parking Task and Finish Working Group.

"The statistical research gathered by both the Council and the community stakeholders has shown that there is no demonstrable evidence that the increase of car parking charges and implementation of evening and weekend charges has had any material effect upon those raising initial concerns.

"Whilst there is no increase to the existing car park charges for 2017/18, it is proposed that a Parking liaison group is formed with community representatives to discuss parking matters on an annual basis in future to maintain an ongoing dialogue."