COUNCILLORS from Colchester and West Mersea are still in talks over plans for controversial new charges for the island’s car parks.

West Mersea town councillors have held meetings and their Colchester Council counterparts are discuss moves to install pay and display machines at five local car parks.

Two sites are owned by the town council and the borough owns the other three, including one behind the library.

Four are currently free – the car park on the Esplanade only opens in the summer, and costs £2.50 a day.

More than 1,000 traders and shoppers signed a petition last year voicing opposition to plans to bring in charges.

Peter Clements, West Mersea’s deputy mayor, said a decision about pay and display had not yet been made, but added his council wanted to offer the first hour or two’s parking free to help traders.

Income from the two town council car parks would back to the council once the scheme’s running costs had been recouped by the borough council, he added.

He explained: “What we really want to find out is the cost. What are we going to charge and if we do all that, what the income is likely to be.

“Our parish grant has been cut by £11,000 by the borough and we’re not putting up the precept this year.

“We need to try to find a way to raise some money to keep the rates down next year and this is a possible way of doing it.

“We’re going to set up a meeting with Colchester Council in the next two weeks to thrash out the nitty-gritty.”

Chris Avila, head chef and co-owner of the Oyster Bar, in Coast Road, West Mersea, said parking was a big issue on the island, and there was a need for more spaces.

He said: “A lot of people who come to the island would probably say they didn’t mind paying £2.50 or £3 to park and know they’re not going to come back to a £50 fine.

“If the money goes back into Mersea, then at least the money is going to a good cause.”

If the councils do agree on charges, they could be in force by the summer.