BOSSES at Crossrail have come to an agreement with Brentwood Borough Council over controversial plans to occupy one of its car parks in Shenfield.
The construction consortium had written to the council advising it that it planned to compulsorily purchase the 54-space Friars Avenue car park – a move which Shenfield traders warned could cripple their business.
Yet following intervention from Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles, the local government secretary, it now says it will only need to occupy the facility for two years from next summer.
Crossrail says it needs to take over a section of the car park in order to install a sixth line at Shenfield railway station.
Traders fear that the loss of the 54-space car park would deter motorists from using the shops in Shenfield and further diminish business at a time of economic stagnation.
After a dialogue with Mr Pickles, Crossrail's surface director, Matthew White, confirmed the car park would not be compulsorily purchased.
In a letter to the MP, he wrote: "Whilst the Crossrail Act permits acquisition of the car park to support Crossrail works, Crossrail's intention is to work with the council to find a mutually agreeable way forward that avoids permanent acquisition and instead permits Crossrail's temporary occupation of the car park in line with the commitment given.
"With the agreement of the council, Crossrail will carry out the works in accordance with the undertaking and will withdraw the notice when the works are complete.
"The programme of works shows that Crossrail will only need the car park for the duration of work at the station and on the tracks at Shenfield, currently expected to be between the second half of 2014 and mid 2016.
"When the work is complete the car park will be handed back to the borough council."
Mr Pickles, who had offered his support to a Conservative Party petition against the compulsory purchase last week, said: "I have now received a letter from Crossrail that explains that there is no intention to remove or take ownership of the Friars Avenue car park on a permanent basis."
He said he was talking to Brentwood Borough Council and the County Council about parking arrangements in the area.
However, the news is cold comfort for traders.
Christine Preston, the manager of Shenfield Bakery, said: "Even though they are not purchasing the car park, if they are going to be using it for several months or years, then of course that is going to be a problem and that is going to affect us."