Conservatives on Harlow Council used their majority to force through car parking charges at neighbourhood shopping centres, the short-stay area at the Town Station, and the Town Park, despite fierce opposition from the public.

Conservatives on the council's Environment & Community Committee voted on Tuesday 17 March to introduce the charges. Users of shops at Bush Fair, The Stow and Old Harlow will have only one hour's free parking. Some workers at these centres will receive staff passes entitling them to park for £50 a year, but there will not be enough to go round, and some workers - such as those in the NHS health centres - will not qualify for them.

Liberal Democrat councillors opposed the charges, but were outvoted.