Maldon: Buzzing market and park and ride proposal for town (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Both good suggestions Councillor Heard, hope that they reach fruition.

A couple of good ideas and I can't see any valid reason for the Market not becoming a reality, given that we already have a vast tarmaced area (White Horse car park) that is underutilized every Sunday. I'm sure we're all behind the councillor on this one, especially if it helps keep our Council Tax bills down.

I do however see a fly in the ointment of Councillor Heard's other proposal, and not solely with the considerable cost of financing of such an undertaking in these very austere times.
As I'm unaware of any suitable brownfield site within Maldon, I'm guessing a sizeable chunk of the surrounding greenbelt would have to be purchased, prepared and tarmaced, to facilitate the 'Park' element of the 'Park and Ride'.
As for the buses, thankfully we already have an established regular bus service (Stephensons #90) between Maldon and Witham Rail Station. That just means that an appropriate service between Maldon and North Fambridge Rail Station would have to be set up.

Now I don't profess to be anything other than a layperson, but I do believe that even I may have a couple of reasonable solutions for those wanting to travel by train, that definitely will not cost the cash strapped Council Tax Payers of Maldon, potentially many hundreds of thousands or possibly millions of Pounds...

Option One:
Commuters leave their car at home, walk to a bus stop and board a bus to their chosen Rail Station, be that either Witham, North Fambridge(bus permitting) or Chelmsford.

Option Two:
Commuters who feel compelled or need to use the car, drive the short distance to the already established 'Park and Ride' service beside the A12 at Sandon.