ESSEX County Council is being urged to create more parking spaces in Epping after it emerged that its own staff are taking up 43 spaces a day in the town.
Council owned land behind Epping Library has 30 garages which used to be let to members of the public.
But the area has become run down and the county council has applied to re-surface the site and knock down the garages to use the space for staff parking.
Members of staff from the county council currently hold permits for 43 spaces in the public Bakers Lane car park, using bays which could be used by high street shoppers.
A lack of parking spaces in Epping remains a problem for visitors and residents who complain there are not enough.
Epping Town Council approved the application at their recent meeting.
Councillor Alan Smith said: “If it's going to free up more spaces for Epping then we should vote in favour of it.”
Councillor Ken Avey added: “It's about time Essex County Council came and played ball with us. If they want to use this area for parking then they should give us more spaces in the town.
"We have waited a year for them to sort things out and I think we have been very patient.
"There are already problems with people keeping shops open in Epping and we want to help them to keep going. Parking spaces will do that. ”
Barry Seager, Chairman of Epping's Town Centre Partnership said: "That car park should be for members of the public. There needs to be better parking for the high street and they are taking up a large chunk of valuable spaces."
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