PRIVATE parking control firms are not the most popular of organisations.

Nevertheless, the decision by Basildon Festival Leisure Park to invite UK Parking Control on to the site, is likely to sit well with the public.

The move is in a response to a definite and growing abuse.

Visit at almost any time and vehicles can be seen parked on pavements, on double-yellow lines, and even, sometimes, blocking access routes.

Disabled parking bays are often full of cars with no blue badge.

Drivers would never dare to park in such a nonchalant manner in town centres, but there seems to be a sense they can get away with this sort of cavalier approach, at this site, because it is privately owned.

Actions, such as pavement parking, are all the more irksome, because regular parking spaces at Bas Vegas are both free, and plentiful.

The excuse, “there was just nowhere else to park”, never applies here.

Hopefully, drivers will get the message quickly, and there will be little need for penalty tickets.

A line does need to be drawn. Bad parking is also detrimental to Bas Vegas in a less tangible way.

Part of the success of the park stems from its sense of security and discreet, but effective, management. If cars are strewn around in a chaotic fashion, it reduces the sense of good order and safety.

Bas Vegas deserves better.