Councillors agree improvements to council car parks

Councillors agreed a raft of proposed improvements to council owned car parks at a meeting of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee on Wednesday 3 July.

Among the improvements are the replacement of 11 pay and display machines with multifunctional payment machines. These will continue to accept cash as well as mobile and card payments.

Other improvements include:

• Relining and improved markings
• Trialling of measures to reduce nuisance parking on verges and grassed areas in a local area to be discussed with ward councillors
• Out of hours access restrictions at Radford Crescent car park in Billericay to reduce the incidence number of antisocial behaviour incidents
• Drop kerb installation at Wickford High Street car park to improve wheelchair access.

The committee also agreed to consider at its next meeting, on 25 September, a report setting out a business case to provide free parking for up to 30 minutes in the Wickford Ladygate and Wickford main car parks and in the Billericay High Street car park in a move designed to help High Street traders and the relining of Wickford main car park and Billericay High Street car parks with wider spaces.

Basildon Council operates six car parks across the borough and funding for the improvements would come from the South Essex Parking Partnership, of which the council is a part.

Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee Cllr David Harrison said:

“These car parks are well-used and valued by local residents. These improvements will ensure they can remain convenient and safe to use for all. The 30 minutes free parking would coincide with the introduction of the new payment machines later in the year. ”