INCREASES to parking charges across could put an end to a local running club and "kill successful events" locally, a senior local councillor has claimed. 

New evening and weekend parking charges across Wickford and Billericay will also "add to the problems retail is suffering" Andrew Baggott, leader of the Conservatives, told Basildon Council's cabinet meeting on March 13. 

Under the plans, Wickford car parks, Ladygate, Wickford Pool, and Wickford Main will all see increases in charges. Parking will cost £1.10 for an hour, £1.60 for two hours, and £3.50 for four hours. Billericay High Street Car Park, Radford Crescent, and Lake Meadows will also see new charges.

Cllr Baggott told the meeting: "The feeling of residents with regards to charges both to high streets and car parks, specifically in Billericay, is that they are not welcomed.

"The general view is that it will add to the problems retail is suffering in the high streets and will be preventative for people coming and using the facilities in Billericay. The Parkrun, which is always a successful community event, could be cancelled as a result of these charges, and that is an impact which will continue to roar through communities." 

The plans have also sparked a petition by resident Rachel Voller with more than 1,000 signatures. Speaking to The Local Democracy Reporting Service earlier in March, she said: "The council is hindering us; it has opted to make almost £150,000 extra a year with this.

"The council did not look at it practically; it's very short-sighted; councillors didn't think about any lasting impact."

In response to the criticisms, Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader, posted on Facebook, saying: "In Billericay and Wickford, free parking is being exploited. Every week, people use our free car parks to head into London for shows, shopping, and football—without spending a penny in our local high streets or shops. Even local traders have told us that free all-day parking is bad for business because it stops genuine shoppers from finding spaces. I agree with them.

"For 21 of the last 23 years, residents in Basildon, Laindon, and Pitsea have been subsidising free parking for Billericay and Wickford. That's not fair. There are no free council-owned car parks in those towns—so why should they continue paying for free weekend parking elsewhere?

"This is about fairness, plugging the Tory black hole, and making sure the council has the money to bring back weekly black bin collections."