THE car park at the Laindon Centre will soon have time limits to prevent commuters using it as a free alternative.

The Centre, in Aston Road, is currently awaiting a major revamp by owners Swan Housing, which will see a new shopping centre built, including a new health centre, 86 houses and 138 flats.

In the meantime, the housing association wants to crack down on the number of people who are parking there to use the nearby Laindon station.

The station is less than ten minutes’ walk away.

Although the free parking has been popular for the commuters, shoppers and residents have been growing increasingly frustrated by the struggle to park when they want to use the centre.

Independence from the EU councillor for Nethermayne Kerry Smith, said: “I went there yesterday and it was like Christmas Eve at Lakeside.

“It was all commuter parking which is very cheeky.

“I went into the chemist and there are only about eight people in there.

“You can tell by the cars and the people who walk from them that they are city workers.

“It is a less than ten-minute walk to the station from there.

“I think some of the cars might be from people who live in Billericay who don’t want to use the Abellio line as the c2c one is cheaper.”

He added that there were a lot of people also parking there while buses were replacing trains on other lines on some weekends.

He added: “It is unfair on the businesses there and the residents.

“People might want to pop in for a snack or go to the chemist, but if they can’t get parked because the commuters are taking up all the spaces, people will go elsewhere.

“The centre needs the support at the moment before the regeneration.”

A spokesman for Swan Housing confirmed they are putting up time limits for how long people can park.

The spokesman added: “Car parking at the Laindon Centre is free and Swan has no intention of introducing charges for the existing car parks.

“However, Swan is keen to address the concerns raised by local residents and councillors regarding commuter parking and will be implementing a time restriction on how long people can park at the centre.

“Swan believes that these restrictions will help to achieve a much-needed balance between the requirements of those who wish to shop at the Laindon Centre and also the commuters who are using the centre as a station carpark.

“Shopping centre staff will be able to continue to park all day for free at the existing car parks without time constraint.’