SEASON tickets for parking in Promenade Park have been doubled for the new tax year.

Maldon District Council has increased the charges for an annual pass for residents and non-residents of Maldon to use their Promenade Park car park two-fold.

The plans were passed at a full council meeting in February, which sees the price of a season ticket for Maldon residents increased from £60 to £120, and £80 to £160 for non-Maldon residents.

The new tariffs came into force on April 1, the first day of the 2017/18 financial year.

The news comes despite the council pledging that no parking charges would be increased for the new financial year for town centre based car parks.

Pay and display tariffs for all town centre car parks, including Promenade Park, which range from £1.10 for one hour to £7 for the whole day, remain the same.

Season tickets for all other car parks, including Butt Lane, White Horse Land and Friary Fields, have not increased in price.

Richard Holmes, Director of Customers & Community, said: “The decision was made by the council on February 9 to increase the charge for a Promenade Park season ticket.

"The price of the season ticket had not been increased for many years and was not reflective of parking charges, which have increased on a more regular basis.

"The new charge still represents value for money for regular visitors to Promenade Park."