THE THURROCK Conservatives are keeping up the pressure over the controversy surrounding the King Street car park in Stanford-le-Hope.
Stanford councillor Shane Hebb, South Basildon and East Thurrock MP, Stephen Metcalfe and a number of Tory councillors were out in force on Small Business Saturday to speak to businesses and shoppers.
Last week, it was confirmed that the developer of the recent “Sand Pits” car park, will review the decision to charge for parking.
After discussions, parking is to be changed to free parking for up to 3 hours, with no return for 4 hours, and a new cost of all day parking for £3.50 is to be implemented.
“This is a step in the right direction”, remarks Cllr Shane Hebb, Conservative councillor for Stanford West.
Shane Hebb has been a fierce opponent of the approved development of 22 flats, a new supermarket and a multi-storey car park, and has recently challenged to council to resolve the parking fee issue immediately after the signs went up.
“It is important that in the run up to Christmas, that shoppers can benefit from a good degree of free car parking, and that spaces in the car park are preserved for those in the community who make our much loved small businesses thrive”.
“However, we need to be clear on something. This is not over. There remain matters which need addressing – not least of all securing a change to the way people can pay for stays over 3 hours. There are residents who have written to me who do not possess mobile phones to make payment. A cashless solution is not good enough”, challenges Cllr Hebb.
Along with methods of payment, Shane Hebb also has challenges he wants resolved in terms of understanding exactly what land has been sold and what the provision for disabled parkers is to be. There is also the question of revenue losses / incorrectly paid-for charges to be discussed.
“Some businesses attract consumers for longer than three hours – hairdressers, salons etc. While this remains good for businesses and shoppers who literally pop in and out of certain shops, this doesn’t solve the problem of us wanting attracting people to come to Stanford and enjoy a morning shopping there.
"We will be arranging a meeting between senior council officials and the local Stanford small businesses so all these matters can be discussed. Accountability lies on the door of this council, and we will hold the council of the day to that dearly”.
Cllr Hebb concludes: “There is much more to be done before this sorry affair is closed. And all this before a spade has even hit the ground!”
