The arrival of pay and display machines in Shenfield have not signaled the end of the fight by campaign group STOPP (Shenfield Traders Oppose Paid Parking).

At the moment they look discreet as only the small black boxes, which the ticket creating machines will be mounted on, are in place and the council says the scheme will come into full effect during the first week of July.

But pressure group STOPP, led by Maurice Buxton have said the installation of the cash for parking machines does not mean their protests are over.

He said they were adopting a wait and see approach and would be watching the progress made with the new scheme.

Mr Buxton said: "We are waiting with anticipation to see what develops.

"So far I have counted nine bases for machines to be put in and I will be interested to see what kind of effect they have.

"Once the scheme is started STOPP will wait for a few weeks and then evaluate the situation before deciding what direction to take."

Previous arguments by STOPP said that the revenue coming from motorists being fined by the council's team of parking attendants was enough to fund the wardens.

STOPP also believe the pay and display measures will have an adverse effect on businesses in Shenfield High Street.

They feel there is a risk that shoppers, especially those who want just a few items such as milk or a newspaper, will be put of coming to Shenfield by the charges and instead go to places like Lakeside where parking is free.

Chief Executive of Brentwood Council, Bob McLintock, said the council accounts were of public information and people could view them in Town Hall.

He added: "The costs of this scheme are quite complex and the council believes the levels of fines being served at the moment will start to drop off because people are not going to keep parking illegally."

Published Wednesday, June 18, 2003

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