The Leader of Conservative Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Louise McKinlay has warned about the danger of calls, made by Liberal Democrat councillors that would affect the future viability of Shenfield.
Crossrail, who have far-reaching powers under the Crossrail Act, have made a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) application for the Friars Avenue car park. The move is being fiercely resisted by Brentwood Borough Council, with more than fifteen hundred residents and traders signing a Conservative petition against the CPO.
Cllr McKinlay said, “An agreement was made with Crossrail in 2008 that the car park could be used by the project for the duration of the work on Shenfield Station, with some spaces protected for shoppers. We believe there is absolutely no need for a CPO, given this arrangement and are robustly fighting the proposal."
“Unfortunately, the Liberal Democrat group has shown that they would put the future of the carparks, shops and businesses at risk and now go back on this.” added Cllr McKinlay.
"Their motion to rule out any use of the carpark during the construction phase, was defeated in the Council Chamber, but the Liberal Democrats need to realise that if they try to back Crossrail into a corner, the company will be more likely to go ahead with the Compulsory Purchase Order."
The Council has been looking at alternative parking solutions for rail users, commuters and shoppers in Shenfield for some time, and is now in a position to discuss these options with local residents and businesses.
Mrs. McKinlay said: "Whether we like it, love it or hate it; Crossrail is coming to Shenfield and it will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the area. We must ensure we do our best for the short and long term future and that means looking at parking in its entirety. This is about fighting hard for what Shenfield needs but also about being pragmatic and sensible and not jeopardising local businesses and shops as the Lib Dem proposal would do."
The Leader of the Council and Brentwood and Ongar MP, the Rt. Hon. Eric Pickles MP have been in close contact over a number of months about the options relating to Crossrail. They have met together with the Chairman and Chief Executive on various occasions and Mr. Pickles has also written to the Chief Executive of Crossrail asking for the CPO to be reconsidered, and instead for the land to be leased for the duration of the work.