What a difference six years make! (From Echo)

What a difference six years make!

2:54pm Thursday 13th December 2007 in News By Jon Austin

A BUSINESSMAN has moved his garage to a neighbouring site he previously branded unsuitable.

Ray Ride is a director of Quick Fix, which has moved from 3 Runwell Road, Wickford, to the adjoining site formerly occupied by national garage chain Kwik Fit.

Six years ago, Mr Ride opposed Kwik Fit's move to the site, saying it would cause too much extra traffic in the area.

John Rushton, a Wickford Action Group member, said: "Mr Ride was a vocal objector to the Kwik Fit site on grounds of traffic congestion.

"Now, six years later, he has set up business on the same site. How does that work out?"

Mr Ride and son, Matt Ride, who is also a director of Quick Fix, opposed the Kwik Fit planning application from the outset, but denied it was due to a perceived threat to their own businesses next door.

Mr Ride prepared a detailed submission to Basildon Council, including bus timetables, school pick-up times and other traffic factors. However, he was not allowed to speak at the planning meeting and the proposal was approved.

Mr Ride is a Conservative member of Chelmsford Council, representing Runwell. He represents about a quarter of the population of Wickford, but his businesses are in Basildon Council-controlled areas of the town.

He is a director of Wickford Garages in Lower Southend Road, where another of his firms, Bradgate Develop-ments, plans to build 173 luxury flats.

Mr Ride is recovering from a heart bypass operation and was not well enough to comment on behalf of Quick Fix.

His son, Matt, was also unavailable for comment.