Basildon Borough Council is introducing four hours of free weekend parking at selected car parks across the borough in Essex starting in April 2026. The new scheme will officially begin on the weekend of 4 April and 5 April 2026 to help residents visit local shops and town facilities more easily.
Most council-run car parks, including Basildon Westgate, Billericay High Street, and Wickford town centre, will offer the free parking window between 10 am and 2 pm. However, at Lake Meadows, the free parking period will run earlier in the morning from 8 am until 12 pm.
Aidan McGurran, the councillor responsible for environment and leisure, said the initiative is designed to boost high streets and encourage people to shop locally. The move follows a public petition in March 2025, when more than 1,000 residents spoke out against proposed increases to parking fees in the borough.
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