10:50am Tuesday 16th June 2009
TILBURY rail-users are furious after a pay and display system was introduced to a free car park.
Commuters who travel from Tilbury Town Railway Station had always used the free car park located behind the Tilbury Taxis office off Dock Road.
Since the £5 a day charge was put in place last week commuters have been parking in side roads.
Roger Pope from Thurrock Rail-Users Group, travels to work from Tilbury everyday.
Roger, 34, of Shaw Crescent, Tilbury, said: “On Tuesday morning I had to park in Melbourne Road as there was no parking anywhere near the station, meaning I had missed two trains for work.
“The car park has been empty since it has been made pay and display.
“We feel the major stakeholders including train users and local businesses have not been consulted on this”
“The car park is charging £5 a day, which is a bit much considering the cost of using the train to get to work in the first place.”
Mr Pope, who has complained to Thurrock Council about the charges, says he has received numerous complaints from fellow commuters.
But train and rail operators c2c, Network Rail and Thurrock Council have confirmed the car park is privately owned.
The Gazette left messages with the company which controls the car park, National Parking, but they were unavailable for comment.
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