Local Conservatives call for temporary suspension of town centre parking charges

Following the announcement that Basildon Council are to resume charging residents to park in Council-owned car parks, local Conservative councillors are calling on the Council, and the Labour-led Administration, to think again.

"We should be doing all we can to support [residents], and local business, through this difficult period”. ~ Cllr Andrew Baggott, Leader of Basildon Conservatives

Cllr Andrew Baggott, Leader of Basildon Conservatives, said: “At a time when local businesses are struggling to get back on their feet after the Covid crisis, having in many cases only just re-opened on Monday, we should be doing everything we possibly can to support retailers and others by extending the free parking in our town centres for a few more weeks. Many residents across the Borough are struggling financially, with some still not having a source of income due to restrictions. We should be doing all we can to support them, and local business, through this difficult period”.

“It’s crazy that Labour can find the funds to support their local councillors’ vanity projects, and costly infrastructure white elephants, whilst at the same time making it more difficult for residents to shop locally and restricting footfall for retailers." ~ Cllr Andrew Schrader, Spokesman for Economic Development

Cllr Andrew Schrader, Conservative Spokesman for Economic Development, added: “It’s crazy that Labour can find the funds to support their local councillors’ vanity projects, and costly infrastructure white elephants, whilst at the same time making it more difficult for residents to shop locally and restricting footfall for retailers. Important projects like the pools in Pitsea are being delayed, and parking charges reintroduced, but they can press ahead with an arena no one wants?”

Local Conservatives are calling on Basildon Council to delay the reintroduction for a temporary period of four weeks, to give shops time to recover. In addition, we have this week called on the Council to review its spending proposals to take into account the Covid-19 crisis and consider whether money could be better spent to support residents and business.