A HUGELY controversial car park has been shut down and parking temporarily made free following legal action by the owners.

Property management company MJ Mapp has taken back control of Westgate Car Park in Basildon from Smart Parking UK, shutting down all ticket machines.

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Protest - Stephen Metcalfe MP at a previous protest with residents and shoppers

Smart Parking has received a huge amount of criticism since introducing ANPR cameras at the car park in July last year, with residents and shoppers claiming to have been fined despite paying for parking and the payment machines not working correctly.

In December, it was revealed the company did not have planning permission for the cameras after submitting a retrospective application.

Over the last six months, MPs for Basildon and Thurrock, Stephen Metcalfe and John Baron, have represented their constituents’ interests to Smart Parking, demanding ten changes in the way the car park was operated.

They have welcomed the legal action taken by MJ Mapp to take back control of the car park, after talks between themselves and Smart Parking broke down.

They met with Smart Parking and achieved some concessions from the operator, but stated they did not go far enough.

They have also taken up an enormous number of individual cases to combat unfair parking charges and pushed the British Parking Association to apply their Code of Conduct more vigorously.

The issue was raised in parliament, with the MPs receiving scores of complaints from residents, with more than 5,500 joining a Facebook group since September to combat the parking charges.

Mr Metcalfe said: “I am pleased that after protracted negotiations finally Smart Parking’s unfair and exploitative practices at Westgate in Basildon have been brought to an end.

“I remain concerned about the parking operation, outstanding charges and the damage to the reputation of Westgate shopping centre that Smart Parking’s practices have caused.

“I hope that this news is welcomed by the local champions who have campaigned tirelessly to end the sharp practices of Smart Parking. The scheme in operation was the last thing local businesses needed when already facing unprecedented high street challenges.

“This is a victory for local people over exploitative business practice.”

Mr Baron said: “I have been contacted by a number of constituents who have been caught out by PCNs at Westgate carpark issued by Smart Parking, despite believing they have abided by the terms of parking.

“Stephen and I have been liaising directly with Smart Parking to instigate a number of changes but I was pleased that the car park owners, MJ Mapps, are now taking control of the car park.

“I look forward to working with MJ Mapps to ensure that car parking revenue is collected in a fair manner going forward.”

In a statement, Basildon Council's ruling Conservative group said: "Basildon Borough Conservatives are delighted that Basildon's two Conservative MPs, John Baron and Stephen Metcalfe, working with Conservative colleagues on Basildon Council, were successful in convincing the owner of Westgate Car Park to take legal action to remove Smart Parking as the operator.

"MPs and councillors across the borough have been inundated with cases from residents who fell foul of the sharp practices in operation at the site, causing huge reputational damage to Westgate Shopping Centre and to the vitality and viability of Basildon Town Centre. 

"Although that damage will take time to repair, Basildon Conservatives welcome the removal of Smart Parking, which is a victory for all the people who came together to oppose their unfair practices.

"We look forward to a new operator welcoming people back to Basildon Town Centre and working in a fair and reasonable manner."

Smart parking spokesperson added: “During 2018, Smart Parking introduced an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system, linked to Pay and Display machines at Westgate Car Park in Basildon. 

"This system was introduced to manage the site in a fair and effective manner and to address systemic abuse at the car park. 

"Having been audited on several occasion the site was operating correctly and within regulated guidelines. 

"Indeed, results thus far have shown increased numbers of motorists utilising the facility, with a vast proportion of users doing so without any issue whatsoever.   

“Unfortunately, the current owners of the site have now asked that we cease operations and as such, we are reviewing our options with a view to defining our next steps."

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