Latest news with #RochfordCouncil
BBC News
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Rochford Council to trial 30-minute free parking scheme
Drivers will be able to park for free for up to 30 minutes in a council's car parks in a move to support local Council in Essex has agreed to try out the free parking scheme at most of its 11 car parks for the next three months "to help boost footfall".The council's leader, Conservative Danielle Belton, said the decision was something requested by business and residents "for a number of years".According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a meeting of the council's economic development, regeneration, and tourism committee heard the trial could cost the authority up to £42,000 for the three month period. Belton said it could also help with parking issues around schools, as parents could use short-term free spaces at drop off and pick up to council documents, the cost of a 30-minute stay in most surface car parks in the district was reduced last year from 70p to 55p in an effort to stimulate activity on the high said: "Ultimately, the council is dedicated to supporting our local businesses and especially the town centres, and it's a documented fact in other towns that short stay parking can help boost footfall. She added the council had built up more money from the car parks than it had spent, meaning it now had reserves to implement the new policy."The end goal is we see a better footfall in the town, which then creates more of a drive for other businesses to consider coming here, if they see we've offerings where people can pop into town, grab a coffee, grab a takeaway, do some errands, whatever it may be."The free parking will not apply to The Approach near Rayleigh Train Station and Hockley Woods Car Park. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Deteriorated' south Essex playground to be transformed with £50k upgrades
WORK is underway to carry out £50,000 worth of upgrades to decades old playground equipment in an effort to create a 'more modern, inclusive and engaging space' for youngsters. The playground at Ashingdon Memorial Park, Rochford, is currently undergoing an extensive facelift that is set to last several weeks and transform the dated equipment that is currently in place. As part of Rochford Council's five-year 'PlaySpace Improvement Plan', the works have been welcomed by councillors as a much-overdue upgrade for the area's younger residents. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. A spokesperson for Rochford Council, said: 'The play area at Ashingdon Memorial Park is currently undergoing a significant upgrade. 'The play area will be temporarily closed while the works are carried out, with the closure expected to last up to three weeks. Underway - Works are ongoing at Ashingdon Memorial Park (Image: Ashingdon Parish Council) 'The project involves the installation of £50,000 worth of new play equipment, aimed at creating a more modern, inclusive and engaging space for children and families in the community. 'We appreciate residents patience during this time and look forward to unveiling the improved play area soon.' Last October, Rochford Council announced it was set to release funding to purchase new equipment for parks across the district. Pleased - Roger Constable has welcomed the improvement works (Image: Rochford Council) According to a report filed ahead of October's announcement, the play areas at Ashingdon Playing Fields are in a 'deteriorated' state, with equipment more than 20 years old and at the 'end of its life expectancy'. Over the next five years the council plans to invest £1.26million in the huge project to replace equipment and improve facilities. Photos of the ongoing works at Ashingdon Memorial Park's playground show a digger in place with much of the rubber surfacing already ripped up. The works have been welcomed by Conservative councillor Roger Constable who, following the council's recent leadership changes, has taken on the chairmanship of the Environment and Climate Change Committee. 'I'm just pleased to see that the play equipment is being replaced,' said Mr Constable. 'The area is going to have a lot of new equipment and new flooring and it's all for our young people who need the space to play.'
