Drivers will now park for free until the end of this year in Basildon's council owned car parks, it has been confirmed.

It comes as free pay and display car parks and season tickets were unanimously agreed upon by the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee on Tuesday. 

The move, which was previously touted by council leader Gavin Callaghan, hopes to boost the borough's high street recovery after the blow of Covid-19 and is expected to see the council lose £225,000 of income.

How will it work?

Car park visitors may be required to collect tickets for the duration of their stay without cost, to avoid car parks filling up from people not moving their cars for long periods.

The council will also monitor the car parks to see how they are used. If they are particularly used by commuters rather than shoppers then a daily fee will be introduced between 12pm – 6pm.

Car parks operate on a mixture of pay and display and season tickets, dependent upon location.

Where will this include?

-       High Street, Billericay

-       Radford Crescent, Billericay

-       Lake Meadows, Billericay

-       Wickford Main, Wickford

-       Wickford Ladygate Centre, Wickford

-       Wickford Pool, Wickford

Why is the scheme so important?

Chairman of the Neighbourhoods and Public Spaces Committee, Councillor David Harrison said: “This will have big value to high streets, especially in Billericay and Wickford.

“While there is a financial cost to the council, it will provide a real boost to high street traders in a time of real need.”

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The move is designed to lend support to high streets as part of the Shop Local, Shop Safe campaign.