CHARGES are to be introduced in West Mersea’s car parks in April.

Pay-and-display machines are to go up in the town’s five car parks in the next six weeks.

The decision follows years of talks between West Mersea Town Council and Colchester Council that led to traders collecting a 1,000-signature petition protesting against the proposal.

The compromise will see shoppers and visitors allowed to park at three car parks for free for up to an hour.

Stays of up to two hours will cost 20p.

The aim is to allow islanders to pay minimal charges and discourage people parking and getting the bus to Colchester for the day.

Margaret Leighton-Dunn, who runs Estuary Laundry and Dry Cleaners, in Church Road, said traders had feared the fees would be higher.

She said: “It’s not too bad because it means people can go round the local shops.

“Really, 20p for two hours means they can still visit the businesses and it does mean other people won’t be able to block the car park for 24 hours, like they do now.”

Colchester Council will spend £32,000 installing pay-and-display machines and publishing the parking orders.

Income generated from the charges will be divided between the councils.

Money from parking fines and penalties will be spent solely by West Mersea Town Council.

West Mersea mayor John May said with Colchester Council’s grants for town and parish councils being axed next year, any income would be hugely helpful.

He added: “It was very controversial from the word go, but after many meetings with representatives from Colchester Council, we eventually came to an agreement.

“You can do an awful lot in an hour and we thought we would introduce a second hour for 20p to give more time as well.

“This will introduce some funds into our coffers to spend on things we need to do in West Mersea.

“For example, we need to spend quite a bit of money on our sports pavilion, which is falling into disrepair.”

Mr May said Colchester Council owned two of the car parks and had planned to introduce charges regardless of what happened at the remaining sites.