VISITORS are set to be charged to use a car park in Heybridge for the first time. A CAR park in Heybridge is set to have charges introduced for the first time.

The Daisy Meadows Car Park in Heybridge Basin has 140 spaces and is used by people visiting to the basin area and its attractions.

At present, the car park, owned by Heybridge Parish Council, does not charge for anyone to park there.

However, plans are now being drawn up to introduce charges to use the car park.

Don Benson, who was elected into the parish council in September, has been placed in charge of organising the plans.

Mr Benson, now chairman of the council’s environment and resources committee, claims a lot of money is being spent on the upkeep of the car park but nothing is being made from it.

He said: “This is something I’ve wanted to pursue for some time now since being elected to the council but due to various things taking place it has been put on the back burner.

“But now everything has been resolved, it’s full steam ahead.

“The council spends between £8,000 and £9,000 every year to manage the car park per annum.

“It’s contracted to be swept four times per year and requires cleaning and maintenance on a regular basis.

“None of these costs are returned to the council’s funds or used for the benefit of the people of Heybridge.

“The car park is most often used by visitors from outside the village. The charges, when introduced, would help bring some additional income to then be used by the parish council to benefit the community.”

The rates and when they will come into force, has not yet been decided.

Mr Benson added: “We as a council have to provide the services and resources needed by the people of Heybridge.

“The charges for Daisy Meadows will be a practical way of helping us get more funds to do our job as a council.”