MORE than 1,500 council-owned garages are empty across Basildon, new figures reveal.

The news has angered residents who claim the garages are desperately needed to provide secure off-street parking.

Basildon Council admitted a total of 1,574 garages, which are owned by the council but managed by St George’s Housing, were vacant across the district, when it last checked the figures two months ago.

Sue Marriott, spokeswoman for the council, said this was partly because of a lack of demand.

Some of the vacant garages were also waiting for repairs or in the process of being allocated to residents.

Howard Goody, 59, of Travers Way, Pitsea, said: “It’s ridiculous. We need the garages more than ever, because there aren’t enough parking spaces on our streets.

“When they built Basildon 60 years ago, they didn’t allow for all the extra cars around today.

There aren’t enough parking spaces. People are looking for secure parking too.”

Pat Grogan, 64, of Beambridge, added: “Can you imagine all the rent the council is missing out on from those empty garages?

“If they let them out, maybe they’d have enough money to repair everyone’s homes better.”

Michael Crone, of Ryedene, Pitsea, claimed many residents are too frightened to rent garages for their cars, because they fear they will be easy prey for vandals.

He said: “A lot of the garages are in their own little cul de sacs, that aren’t looked out on to by any houses.

“The vandals know they can break in and no-one will see a thing. That’s why a lot of them are empty.”

The figures were released by Basildon Council in response to a Freedom of Information request from the Echo.