Update: Southend Borough Council has announced that those attending the vaccination centre will now be able to park free for two hours at the Shorefield Road car park. Marshals will be on-site to assist, however, you should leave the car park once you have had your vaccine so you do not stop others from parking there.
James is calling for parking charges to be waived for staff, volunteers, and those receiving the vaccine at the Cliffs Pavilion vaccination centre.
The Member of Parliament for Rochford and Southend East wants parking to be made free at the nearby Shorefield Road car park.
He has written to Southend Borough Council for clarity on the matter.
Earlier this week, it was revealed the town's iconic theatre would be transformed into an NHS mass vaccination centre with the potential to administer thousands of jabs every week.
The announcement was welcomed by James, who described it as a "cause for optimism" in the town's fight against coronavirus.
Now, he hopes the Council will suspend parking charges nearby for those working at the facility as well as those receiving their vaccine.
Commenting, James said:
"This mass vaccination centre at the Cliffs Pavilion is fantastic news for Southend. It has the capacity to administer hundreds of vaccines a day.
"Because of the scale of the vaccination programme, there will be people travelling across the town to get their jab, many of whom will be vulnerable, meaning walking won't be an option. It, therefore, seems logical that in order to get people here safely, parking is made free at the nearby Shorefield Road car park solely for those attending, working or volunteering at the vaccination centre.
"This is the car park that a lot of people would usually use when they go to see a show at the Cliffs, it is accessible, so it's right that it is utilised for the vaccination effort."
Photo credit: Google.
