Our Management Board has written to Thurrock Council leader Rob Gledhill to object to Council proposals to introduce 24/7 car parking charges at Ockendon Recreation Ground. We have a significant interest in this playing field as our open-age third and fourth elevens use this venue.
Please also sign the petition https://consult.thurrock.gov.uk/free-car-parking-fees
See original Council report and Belhus CC objection letter
2021-12-07 Ockendon Rec Car Parking Charges.pdf
2022-01-06 Cabinet Chair A.pdf
FINAL UPDATE 9th February 2022
CAMPAIGN SUCCESS! NO CHARGES AFTER 4PM MIDWEEK - NO CHARGES AT ALL AT WEEKENDS. Decision for Ockendon Rec taken by Thurrock Council's cabinet. Our thanks to all who joined our campaign. Our petition is still active as it will be tabled in late Spring as we aim to keep all the Borough's parks and open spaces FREE for everyone to enjoy.
Update 9th February 2022:
Tonight is decision time by Thurrock Council's Cabinet. This page will be updated with the decision as soon as possible. Our latest campaign letter is available via the following link:
2022-02-07 Cabinet Chair A.pdf
Update 3rd February 2022:
Parking charge proposals for Ockendon Rec will now be considered by Cabinet. It is part of item 16 on their agenda for Wednesday 9th February. The proposal document being tabled is here:
2022-02-09 Car Parking Proposal Cabinet.pdf
Update 2nd February 2022:
Parking charge proposals for Ockendon Rec were passed at the scrutiny stage by just one vote last night. We are now tracking the proposal further to see whether it progresses to Cabinet. Five Councillors were present with Cllrs. Kerin (Lab, Grays Riverside) and Watson (Lab, West Thurrock and South Stifford) voting against the proposals while Cllrs. Carter (Con, Chadwell St Mary) and Kelly (Con, Little Thurrock Rectory) voted for the parking charges with the acting Chair Cllr. Snell (Con, Corringham and Fobbing), also voting in favour.
It is clear that all present do not want sports users to pay a parking charge and there was a discussion that data entry of number plates may be used with a camera scheme (ANPR) rather than issuing permits. We are considering our next steps.
Update 1st February 2022:
Proposal about car parking charges will be on the table at the Council's Planning, Transport and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee this evening. One of our management board members is being permitted to address the meeting. We wish to record our thanks to all the sports clubs, their members and the general public for their support with this vital campaign.