Car parking across a south Essex town will get an "extensive review" after commuters are "exploiting" free car parking and businesses and shops are suffering, a council meeting heard.

Basildon Council agreed to review parking at its car parks and parking areas across the borough as the current system is "confusing for residents and can inadvertently create problems." 

The council's cabinet meeting on December 9 also heard how teachers and commuters are parking in Langdon Hills all day, which is affecting trade, visitors to businesses, and "vital parts of the community."

 Aidan McGurran, councillor for the environment and leisure, said: "The present system around car parking is confusing for residents and can inadvertently create problems like commuters exploiting all day free parking within countryside car parks, for instance, which is and can be an issue. 

"Other issues we have are high street car parks also being used by commuters rather than shoppers – which is not ideal – inconsistent charging rates, and park resources being used to maintain the car parks and not the parks themselves.

"So basically what we've got here is an extensive review which will include but not just be limited to the review of fees and charges, amending or removing some concessionary elements and possible introduction of new charges and restrictions."

Kerry Smith, councillor for housing, added: "These shops pay us lots of business rates. I refer to the Great Berry Shopping Parade and The Triangle Shopping Parade, and we are getting commuters.

"At Great Berry, teaching staff are taking up parking spaces. There is a hairdresser there that clients have to miss appointments, there is the GP surgery there, the chemists, vital parts of the community, and it isn't the parents of Great Berry.

"It's some of the teaching staff.

"I've popped there each day this week because I've had more fresh complaints, and you can see the same cars parked there."