PARKING enforcement officers have refused to back down over their decision to hand out fines to fundraisers in Basildon’s Race for Life event.

Traffic wardens were branded “heartless” and “mean spirited” when runners returned to their cars after the event in Gloucester Park to discover they had been hit with £70 fines.

Drivers parked on the grass verge outside Basildon Sporting Village, in Cranes Farm Road, and on double yellow lines in nearby streets on the Pipps Hill industrial estate, were targeted.

Phil Turner, Tory leader of Basildon Council, asked the South Essex Parking Partnership, with took over parking enforcement in the borough in 2011, to reconsider the tickets.

Photographs emerged of three traffic wardens patrolling the streets together, and eyewitness reported seeing two cars full of wardens arriving in the area before the annual Cancer Research fundraiser kicked off.

However, the partnership, based at Chelmsford Council, denies claims it increased its presence in a bid to make money from extra fines.

A spokesman said: “The Parking Partnership supports many events and charities with traffic management needs throughout the South Essex Parking Partnership areas.

“The partnership had not been made aware of the event by the organisers.

“Unfortunately, it would appear that demand for parking exceeded the provision supplied and motorists chose to park in restricted areas.

“The enforcement officers noted the parking contraventions on their normal daily patrol which, as a result, were causing significant traffic flow problems.

“For future events, it is advisable that the event organisers contact the Highways Authority and the police to agree, in advance, the traffic management requirements for the event.”

This year’s Basildon Race for Life, including the Pretty Muddy obstacle course, 5k run and 10k run, attracted 6,300 entries last Saturday and Sunday.

Event parking at Basildon Sporting Village was scrapped three years ago, and Race for Life organisers advise people taking part in events to use designated drop-off zones.