Southend Pass available to buy from next week

March 19, 2021

Southend residents and visitors will be able to buy the Southend Pass from next week, as the council introduces the scheme which could see parking cost as little as 28p a day.

Following amendments to 2021/22 budget agreed at cabinet on 16 February and Full Council on 26 February, the pass will be available to everyone. It is hoped expanding the offer to people who live outside the Borough will help increase visitors to Southend-on-Sea throughout the year and support local businesses and boost the Borough’s economy.

Anyone wishing to buy a pass can do so by downloading MOBON’s new Southend Parking app from Monday 22 March, which has been designed specifically for Southend-on-Sea. Further information is available online at www.southend.gov.uk/southendpass

The annual pass, which will cost £8.50 per month, will be available for use from 1 April 2021, and includes three hours parking every day in each of the four new zones, in any council owned car parks, or on-street pay-by-phone or pay and display parking bays.

At just £8.50 per month, the pass works out at 28p per parking session if used daily, 85p if used ten times across a month or £2.12 if used four times a month.

Once parked, simply activate your parking session on the app. When your three hours are due to expire, you will receive a text advising you that your time is nearly up. if you wish to stay longer in that zone, you can top up your parking session with the app to extend your stay for the relevant additional charge.

For those who do not have access to a smart phone, there are other ways to apply and pay for the Southend Pass. Please contact the parking team on 01702 215003 for more information.

For those who don’t want to buy the Southend Pass, they can pay in the usual way, including via MOBON’s standard app, text message, telephone and cash.

Cllr Ron Woodley, deputy leader and cabinet member for transport, capital and inward investment said: “The Southend Pass will help encourage residents and visitors to explore the town, visiting different shops, restaurants, parks and open spaces across the Borough, increasing the spend in local shops and boosting the local economy. With the Government roadmap in place, we know that people are going to be looking ahead at where they can visit this year, and we want them to pick Southend-on-Sea.

“I am delighted that the system will be live from next week, and that we are be able to offer the Pass to people who live outside of the Borough too, which will encourage more use of local shops, cafes and restaurants and our many attractions. The more people who have the chance to buy the Southend Pass means more potential visitors to boost the local economy.

“Even if someone uses the pass once a week, they will still see incredible benefits, with parking costing the equivalent of £2.12 for three hours in each zone, The Pass will be ideal for people who live across south Essex and want to visit all our Borough has to offer, or for those who want to spend a few hours in the town centre shopping, and then a trip to Leigh or Shoeburyness.

“If you want to stay longer than three hours in any of the zones, you will be able to top up at the end of your parking session on the go by using the app, or at a parking machine. Please note that the Pass can be purchased from Monday 22 March but can only be used from 1 April onwards. If you purchase the pass from the 1 April onwards, your 12-month subscription will start from the date of purchase.

“It is also worth highlighting that as part of our fees and charges, visitors staying overnight in our hotels or guest houses will also still be able to access a 50% reduction off of the daily charge if parking is booked through them.”

Sign up to receive updates and notification on the Southend Pass via email at www.southend.gov.uk/SouthendPassSignUp. More information is available on our website: www.southend.gov.uk/southendpass