A CALL has been made for the managers of a successful Thurrock park to try and create more parking spaces in a bid to minimise disruption to neighbours when they hold events.

At the latest meeting of Stanford-le-Hope's new Community Forum, ward councillor Terry Piccolo said he believed that the Friends of Hardie Park could do more to mitigate problems.

He was speaking after the Forum heard that residents in the vicinity of the park had raised problems about parking when events were held there. The park has grown and grown in popularity over recent years and now holds several big events there each year which attract many people from outside the town.

That, in turn, has caused parking problems for locals.

Cllr Piccollo told the meeting at East Thurrock Community Association: "These local community parks were created across the borough as a place for local people to go. They were not designed for big events with people coming from away.

"There has been an increase in the side and number of events and that has impacted on the people of Scratton Road, for example. When events are on they can't park near their homes.

"I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the park management to look at providing parking in the park itself. There is space that could be taken back for parking."

The Forum agreed to contact the Friends of Hardie Park to discuss the issue but today the CEO of the Park, Rob Groves, told Thurrock Nub News he shared the concerns and that he was 'actively trying to resolve the problem'.

He added: "We are looking at this. I have tried to have dialogue with the people who run the adjacent scout hall,. That could come down to provide parking and we could provide them with a new facility within the park. I have also tried to find out about buying some of the land on the other side of the park which we could use for parking.

"I live on Scratton Road so I know the problems and it is something we are looking at and are serious about resolving. I am also talking to the council about it."

Other items discussed at the Forum included continued parking problems in the town centre.

Local businessman Blair Lloyd-Warne repeated previous criticisms of the owners of the town centre car park, which is now a pay only site, for using vehicles to block up on street parking places close to his shop, forcing visitors to have to use the paid spaces.

"This is so wrong. It's terrible to see members of the local business community going out of their way to hurt other businesses. It could be solved if there was some proper council parking enforcement, these vehicles outside my shop are parked there all day but it seems the owners are content to take the risk and pay the occasional fine because they make more in parking fees."

Cllr Piccollo told the meeting he would speak to the council enforcement teams to try and get more visits by traffic officers to address the issue.

He also informed the Forum that council works to complete the rebuilding of Stanford station were now on track to be completed by Christmas this year. "That's stage one, then they will be starting on the car park on the others side where spaces will be provided for commuters and local shoppers to park – as well as a turning circle being created," he said.

Attendees were reminded that the consultation on the Lower Thames Crossing was due to end on 25 March and urged to spread that anyone who has not has an input ought to do so.

Another survey that was brought to the meeting's attention were the two consultations currently running on a proposal to extend Orsett quarry to the borders of Stanford.

And discussion took place on the town's Christmas lights switch on and the annual carols service, which are likely to be two separate events this year.