CALLS to let shoppers with permits to park for free for longer on market days in Dovercourt have been rejected by Tendring Council.

Harwich Town Council wants residents to be able to use the car park in Milton Road without charge from 9.30am on Fridays to help ease congestion.

But Tendring Council has refused to back the proposal because the car park is already widely used.

Free parking was introduced in council-run facilities from 11am to midnight for residents to attract more shoppers into towns.

The council says changing the time to 9.30am would mean town centre workers would take up spaces by leaving their cars there all day.

But town councillor Jo Henderson said: “I am horrified at their response and they need to look at the bigger picture.

“The market, bus diversions and traders parking on Marine Parade all take parking spaces away.

“We have a lot of elderly residents who want to shop early and are being put off by having to pay for the car park when they are getting a pint of milk, loaf of bread or a dozen eggs.

“I would ask them to give the scheme a three-month trial to help residents, shoppers and traders.”