LABOUR has apologised for enforcing weekend parking charges on a Pitsea park, just two months after they were introduced.

Melissa McGeorge, councillor for Vange, was questioned in Basildon Council’s leisure, culture and environment committee as she tabled an amendment to remove Saturday car park charges from Wat Tyler Country Park.

Kevin Blake, the committee chairman, asked Mrs McGeorge why the proposal was made as the former Labour majority had only recently introduced the charges.

Mrs McGeorge told the committee the decision was a “mistake”.

She said: “We do all make mistakes, I don’t think there should be parking charges there at Wat Tyler Country Park and that is why I am bringing this forward.

“If you are not in the mind to complete this action now, I would like it put on the work plan to be looked at a future meeting with costings looked at.

“That is the one carpark we control in Basildon.

“We would like to get more footfall in our parks as well, it is a beautiful place and money a lot of money can be spent.”

While the committee passed free Saturday parking in four car parks - Billericay High Street, Wickford Main, Wickford Ladygate and Wickford Pool - Mr Blake told Mrs McGeorge the council must investigate whether the proposal would work before introducing it.

He said: “What I find quite strange is that it had been your committee that brought this charge in, and I find it difficult to understand that without it being political, you are making a comment to reduce the cost in Wat Tyler Country Park, when only two months ago it was you who introduced it.

“I personally struggle with that.

“At this present time, I certainly cannot support the removal of parking charges at the park, but maybe we need to look into it.”