Residents and visitors are being encouraged to visit and shop in Tendring after car parks across the district were named as some of the best in the region for safety.

A total of 15 Tendring District Council (TDC) facilities have been awarded The Safer Parking Award Scheme Park Mark from the British Parking Association this summer.

Each car park has passed an assessment relating to the quality of lighting, cleanliness, security measures and quality management.

The car parks which have received the award in 2024 include Victoria Place and Tower Street in Brightlingsea, Agate Road, Alton Park Road, Carnarvon Road, Wellesley Road and Martello car parks in Clacton, Elm Grove in Great Clacton, The Quay and Wellington Road in Harwich, Ipswich Road and Hazlemere Road in Holland-on-Sea, Jaywick Beach, and Church Road and High Street in Walton-on-the-Naze.

Councillor Mick Barry, TDC’s Cabinet Member responsible for car parks, said the awards recognised the quality of the council-operated facilities.

“We take pride in our area and services to residents and to receive these awards is a real accolade,” he said.

“Residents and visitors can feel confident in using our car parks, knowing that they have a Park Mark award.

“We’re also proud to be able to continue offering residents a Householder Parking Permit, which allows free parking after 11am at most TDC car parks, except for in July and August.

“Our free parking scheme helps us to boost local businesses by encouraging people to shop in our towns and villages and helps residents to explore what our beautiful district has to offer.

“Our car parks are frequently the first port of call for visitors to the Essex Sunshine Coast, so it is also important that we keep them well-maintained to help promote our area, attract visitors and encourage them to stay longer.

“I would like to thank our Parking Services team for their continued efforts to maintain the high standard of our car parks, which are some of the best in the region.”

There are a total of 28 car parks in Tendring with British Parking Association awards, including Hastings Beach, Hastings Grass and the Seafront parking bays in Clacton.

Awards are also held by York Road, Brighton Road and Holland Haven car parks in Holland-on-Sea, as well as Promenade Way in Brightlingsea, Station Yard, Coronation Coach and Car park, The Naze and Mill Lane in Walton-on-the-Naze, Orwell Place in Dovercourt and Brook Street in Manningtree.

A number of the TDC car parks are due to be re-assessed by the British Parking Association later this year.

To find out more about the Householder Parking Permit, visit the TDC website at www.tendringdc.gov.uk/content/householder-parking-permit for further details.

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