A NEW car park could be created on a grass verge in a bid to free up spaces in Billericay town centre.

Basildon Council is working on plans to take over land on Southend Road, and create a car park with up to 120 spaces.

It would be used to accommodate season ticket holders who currently use the busy Billericay High Street car park, behind the Iceland supermarket.

Essex County Council, which owns the conservation area land, was originally reluctant to give it up as it wanted to widen the road.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said: “I’m now working closely with my county colleagues and I’m ramping up the pressure to get this sorted.

“About half of the spaces are full of season ticket holders. We could get rid of season tickets altogether, but that would create problems in residential areas so it’s not the right thing to do.”