BOSSES have been forced to backtrack on parking hikes for Southend seafront amid growing criticism from across the town. Southend Council's cabinet has this afternoon agreed to keep free parking from after 6pm, following huge concerns from businesses, traders, and MPs. The council, as part of their new budget, planned to increase parking charges at the most popular areas of Southend's seafront, with both the Western Esplanade and Fairheads Green car parks seeing the highest rises. This change means that audiences at the Cliffs Pavilion, in Westcliff and restaurant goers parking in the Shorefield Road car park, can park for free after 6pm.