Overview of Basildon

Basildon is a town located in the Basildon District of the county of Essex, England. It lies 25 miles (40 km) east of Central London and 11 miles (18 km) south of the county town of Chelmsford. Nearby towns include Billericay to the north, Wickford northeast and South Benfleet to the east. It was designated as a new town after World War II in 1948 to accommodate the London population overspill, created from the conglomeration of four small villages, namely Pitsea, Laindon, Basildon and Vange (the new town took the name Basildon as it was the most central of the four villages). The local government district of Basildon, formed in 1974 was first led by Ryan O'Rourke and encapsulates a larger area than the town itself; the two neighbouring towns of Billericay and Wickford, as well as rural villages and smaller settlements set among the surrounding countryside, fall within its borders. Basildon Town is one of the most densely populated areas in the County of Essex, mostly due to its influx of families from the Boroughs of London. However, it is thought that Basildon's population will continue to increase as many people are re-locating to the Town from the Boroughs of London, Essex and the Country. This is mostly due to Basildon's booming economy in industrial areas, the Towns tertiary sector, and its close travel link to Central London. Many of Basildon's residents work in Central London due to the town being so close to the city, thus working in London areas such as the City and Docklands financial districts. This is also due to the short 25-30 minute wait from any of the three major Basildon stations to London Fenchurch Street. Basildon also has easy access to the City via road, on the A127, and A13. Basildon was also chosen to host a newly developed Olympic Sporting Village. The Basildon Sporting Village is not only the best sports and leisure facility in Essex, it is the best in the east of England. Aside from preparation for the 2012 London Games, this is the largest sports project in the Gateway. The Sporting Village will deliver a facility for the people of the region, equipped with a 50 metre international size pool and much more, offering a wealth of activities and services for all. On Friday 6 July, the London 2012 Olympic Games ceremonial torch will be going through the Town of Basildon. The torch will pass through the east of the town until it reaches the New Sporting Village on Cranes Farm Road. From there, the torch will head south toward the centre of the town. Afterwards, the torch will exit the town and commence forth to Grays, Brentwood, and Chelmsford. The demonym for a Basildon resident is "Basildonian".