A TOWN centre could lose vital shoppers and market traders after a plea to ease parking congestion was knocked back.

Harwich Town Council wants residents to be able to use the car park in Milton Road, Dovercourt, without charge from 9.30am on Fridays to encourage shoppers and prevent nearby streets being clogged with cars.

But Tendring Council has refused to budge, having initially blocked the move in September, claiming the car park is already widely used and there are other parking spaces available.

Harwich Town councillor Jo Henderson said: “I am absolutely horrified – Mick Page claimed in the Standard last week Tendring Council does all it can to help our high streets so I would hope he would support us.

"We are in a unique situation because we are the only town in Tendring with an on-street market and all we want is a three-month trial to see how it works.

“Our traders are calling out for something to be done because people will not pay to shop for a loaf of bread or a dozen eggs. We are going to end up losing shoppers and market stalls.”

But council leader Mr Page defended his decision.

“My officers, who I have to trust, tell me there is adequate parking and if we extended the opening hours then it would be used by people going to work in the shops, offices or even getting the train to London,” he said.

“I know they think I am playing the ogre in this but it would set a precedent and we would have to change parking times all over the district.”