TWO years after Thurrock Council controversially introduced a charge for parking permits for people living in restricted zones across the borough, the council has confirmed that from 1 April, the cost will have doubled.

The charges, replacing a previously free service, was introduced in 2023 when the cost for a first permit was £15.

That increased to £20 last year and in the latest raft of increased in fees and charges on a whole range of services across the borough, it will rise to £30 (50%) for applicants or renewals after 1 April. The charge on the first permit is mirrored by increases for additional ones. The price for a second permit will rise by £15 to £40 (60%) and if a household requires a third permit, it goes up £20 to £50 (66.67%).

Since the council introduced charging in 2023, the inflation rate hit a one month high of 8.65% , dropping to 3.99% at year end but the average over the following year was 2.53%. Three months into 2025 it sits at 2.8%. The rise in this year's permit charges averages 58.89%, more than 21 times the current rate of inflation.

When the scheme was introduced, the council insisted it was not a revenue-generation proposal, but one aimed at improving the environment around residents' homes close to rail stations.

A statement said: "The resident parking permit scheme helps make sure that on-street parking is prioritised for residents and prevents commuters, parents on school runs and other drivers who do not live in the area from clogging up roads and blocking driveways.

"However, providing this service comes at a cost to the council and to cover management, maintenance, enforcement and administration.

"By introducing a flat rate £15 a year fee we are able to cover this costs while helping to keep your road clear of cars for your to park, which provides you with priority parking near your home, all for less than 30p a week."

At the time Labour group leader Cllr John Kent decried the move by the then incumbent Conservative administration, saying: "Labour councillors opposed this unfair charge through the council's scrutiny process and voted against it when it was put to council in February - where every Tory councillor present voted to increase these charges.

"Unfortunately, there will be much more to come as the Tories will be looking to, again, increase charges across the board this summer and implement tens of millions of pounds of cuts to front line services in a desperate attempt to recover from the financial catastrophe they have inflicted on the residents of Thurrock."

The latest increases have been proposed and pushed through by the current Labour administration, also led by Cllr Kent. Justification for the increases was given in a report to the ruling cabinet in January when cabinet members were told resident parking permits in Thurrock costs were 'far below' when compared with other local authorities.