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Labour welcome park and ride, but has concerns over cost and location

Press Release

Labour welcome park and ride, but has concerns over cost and location

The Labour Group on Southend-on-Sea Borough Council has for many years called for a park and ride scheme in the town. This has often featured in their local election manifestos.

Cllr Julian Ware-Lane

The news that the ruling administration has finally woken up to the idea has been welcomed by Cllr Julian Ware-Lane, Labour's spokesperson for traffic and parking. However, Cllr Ware-Lane believes the scheme as proposed by the Conservative administration has some shortcomings.

The scheme has the park and ride scheme at the Civic Centre car park, with the bus ride taking one to the Kursaal. It is £3 to park the car, and £4 for the ride.

"The scheme is too expensive", said Cllr Ware-Lane. "£7 does not seem to be much of an incentive to abandon the car, especially when the actual distance covered by the park and ride is only about a mile or so. "

"I also think the choice of location is poor", added Julian. "The town experiences huge traffic jams along the two main arterial routes. The scheme should be implemented far closer to the borough boundaries."

"I realise that there are issues in finding a suitable location, but cannot believe that the site chosen is the best available."

The evidence suggests that so far the scheme has done little to affect, let alone lessen, the tailbacks of those heading towards the seaside.