Residents will be eligible to park for free at a Dovercourt town centre car park this summer to help ease congestion during ongoing regeneration works.

Essex County Council’s Dovercourt Public Realm scheme began last month and focuses on improving the route between Dovercourt Railway Station and the seafront.

Currently, parking is suspended on Kingsway to enable works to be completed safely and to reduce the overall time of the project.

To help people continue to visit the town centre, Tendring District Council have extended their Householder Parking Permit scheme for Orwell Place Car Park to include July and August.

The programme is usually stopped in the summer, but the decision has been taken to reinstate it solely in Orwell Place to support residents and businesses.

Holders can park for free between 11am and midnight.

Ivan Henderson, TDC Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “We are listening to residents and businesses who have asked for support.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding and hope these measures will help encourage people to carry on visiting the town centre during these works.

“It is important to note this is only valid in Orwell Place, and not other car parks in Dovercourt, Harwich or further afield.”

Any Tendring resident who does not have a permit can apply for one by clicking here or by calling 01255 686969 during business hours. Your council tax number is required.

Existing permit holders do not need to do anything additional and can now park at Orwell Place without charge between 11am and midnight.

Councillor Henderson added: “We have explored a number of options within our gift to help alleviate the current pressures on parking in Dovercourt town centre.

“This is what can be implemented quickly to offer immediate support.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with our partners at Essex County Council throughout this project and the ongoing regeneration of the town centre.”

The Kingsway project is part of an extensive £9m regeneration of Dovercourt town centre which also includes social homes in Victoria Street, the redevelopment of Harwich Library and the High Street Accelerator Green Spaces project bringing improvements to the seafront.

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