Wickford high street could be closed every Saturday for FOUR months

The trial aims to see if the closure could become permanent on Saturdays so the market could have more stalls.

Officers at Basildon Council have recommended that the councillors give the trial the go-ahead.

The report which will be presented to the Leisure, Culture and Environment Committee on Tuesday, reads: “As part of the regeneration of Wickford town centre undertaken over the past few years, there has been an aspiration from the outset to provide a regular market that would spread across the High Street and would attract additional footfall to the area, increasing economic benefits for the current retail as well as developing a more sustainable market.

“In a discussion between members of Essex County Council and ward members, a request has been received to close Wickford High Street on consecutive Saturdays for a four month trial period to facilitate the market.”

Councillor Don Morris, of the Wickford Castledon ward, said: “It will be closing two Saturdays before Christmas to see how it is received and if there is a desire to see it closed every Saturday, we will look at whether to continue it.

“Currently the market is restricted in the number of stalls and there are also problems on pavement areas where the market stalls are at present.

“It would be a lot better to shut the High Street which will allow us to facilitate more market stalls.

“My impression from residents is it’s something they would like to see happen.”

Members of the committee will be asked to approve that council officers work with Essex County Council’s Highways team to draw up options for how the trial can take place and to refine the brief to ensure costs are kept low.

The report notes that a previous assessment which looked at four options, including the full pedestrianisation of the High Street, found that a budget of £117,800 would be required. But this could be cut if the council reduces the assessment to focus only on pedestrianisation on Saturdays.