The first phase of the A13 Vange and Pitsea realignment scheme is completed. The new duel carriageway road linking the Five Bells roundabout at Vange to a temporary junction at London Road, Pitsea was first planned in the 1950s. The new route, which was controversial and involved a flyover at Pitsea, was not the first considered as a Basildon Development Corporation early 1950s draft outline plan proposed re-routing the A13 over the railway through Vange marshes before crossing the line again beyond Pitsea railway station. All even numbers: 2-48 comprising 12 semi-detached bungalows (24 properties) in The Meads on the Riverview estate and three semi-detached council houses comprising 12 addresses and odd numbered 1-11a in Merricks Lane were demolished to make way for the route. A second phase, linking Pitsea with the Sadlers Farm roundabout, was completed in 1976.

The Heighway public house in Basildon town centre opened. The public house, built in the newly completed Block S project at High Pavement, was one of a number of new social amenities to open within this development. In 1983 it became the New Yorker, later becoming the Roof Garden before another change of name in 2010 to The Edge.

Langdon Hills former Army Defence Camp site put up for sale. The Old Church Hill camp was established around the early 1940s during the Second World War and had been headquarters for many regiments including the 7th Army Group Royal Artillery (A.A.). Although the last regiments appear to have moved out by the late 1960s the camp in June 1970 still had a caretaker, this being Mr. Michael Rock of Whitmore Way, Basildon. The camp appears to have become unoccupied from c. /10/1971 and though most of the barracks had been removed the remaining ones had provided a temporary home for a passing vagrant. By April 1973, with just a few surviving concrete structures, the parade area and main roadways left, the proposed disposal of the site was undertaken by the Property Services Agency. The former camp site was later acquired by a private buyer and is now known as Bentley Farm.

Basildon Development Corporation authorise the creation of a temporary site for traveller families at Terminus Drive, Pitsea. The site, with around 40 pitches and a joint collaboration with the district council, was created on land adjacent to the new A13 flyover next to the direct London-Shoeburyness railway line. Its aim was to reduce the number of small traveller encampments around the district until a permanent site or sites could be made available.

Aquatels Zoo and Ecology Centre opened in Pipps Hill Close (formerly Rectory Road), Basildon. The Zoo grounds were later extended when development corporation compulsory purchase orders were issued against Pipps Hill Close homeowners. One of the occupiers fought a lengthy battle over compensation which eventually reached a satisfactory conclusion. The zoo closed in the late 1970s and the main Ecology Centre and reptile house building was later converted in the early 1980s into an entertainment establishment called Festival Hall and operated by the Brent Walker Leisure group. The whole site is now lost to the Festival Leisure Park, which began opening attractions in 1997.

Pipps Hill Country Club opened. Situated in Pipps Hill Road South, the country club formed part of the Aquatels business venture that included the Essex Centre Hotel, Treble Chance public house and the nearby zoo and ecology centre. Its facilities, which required membership, included fishing in the adjacent aquatels lake, squash courts, sauna, tennis courts, a small kidney shaped indoor heated swimming pool and additionally on nearby ground to the east of the main buildings (which also incorporated the Treble Chance), a 9 hole golf course and range, riding stables and a practise dry ski-slope. There was also a licensed bar and outdoor verandah with tables overlooking a man made beach. The fishing lake, boat hire being another option, was also used at select times for water sking.

Langdon Hills open spaces at Westley Heights and One Tree Hill are declared Country Parks.

January

The Treble Chance public house in Pipps Hill Road South opened. The split level pub, designed in a Spanish Colonial style, was built as part of the larger Aquatels recreation project created by businessman Reg Treble whose surname forms part of the pubs' name. It became a popular venue for live entertainment and in the 1980s band nights known as the Onion Club were established. Philip and Olive Woodger are the first publicans to take charge. The Quays public house now covers the site of the former pub.

1st April

Basildon Hospital in Nether Mayne opens. A campaign for a hospital to serve Basildon had begun as early as 1954. As the towns population grew resources at the two existing hospitals serving the area namely; Orsett and Billericay's St. Andrews, were often stretched to full capacity. After a number of lengthy delays and consultations construction work finally began on the 32 acre site in 1967. The first person to receive treatment is Rita Morrell, aged 6, from Tilbury. Although some sections of the hospital were not completed at the time of opening the maternity ward was operational. Mrs. Jacquelyn Carter of St. James Road, Vange gave birth to the first baby, a girl called Nina, on 02/04/1973 and the first boy, Chay, was born the following day to Mrs. Gillian Sims-Welford of Benfleet. The cost of the hospital was put at around seven million pounds. The hospital has had a number of name changes and is currently called Basildon University Hospital.

April

Basildon Aviary and Wildlife Zoo in London Road, Vange, opened. The Zoo, situated on a 4.6 acre site close to Vange primary school, was one of two in Basildon opened in the 1970s. It closed in November 2001 amid a blaze of bad publicity concerning the living conditions and general welfare of its animal occupants.

April

Sweeney's Discotheque in High Pavement, Basildon town centre opens. Named after the fictional 19th century character Sweeney Todd, 'The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', the purpose built disco has a capacity of 275 and cost around £30,000. It was incorporated into the new town square Block S development completed the previous year; its location being down a flight of stairs below a public house and above unit 9 Town Square. Terry Ray and Dr. Moonlight were among the clubs resident DJs that also featured live entertainment, including an April 28th 1981 appearance from Basildon's own Depeche Mode, and a popular Saturday morning disco for teenagers. It closed in 1988 when the owners, a company called Tops Estates, offered the leaseholders a compensation deal to vacate early in order to progress with a proposed scheme to roof over Town Square. The scheme failed to materialise and the former nightclub is now occupied by the Basildon branch of Palmers Solicitors. A farewell party was held on Saturday 29th October, 1988.

29th April

Temple of Light Christian Spiritualist Church at 8 Bedford Road, Laindon opened. Construction of the building had begun in 1965 following approval of the plans and took over 7 years, with much of the funding coming through church activities, including jumble sales, and voluntary donations. The original location of the church was to have been on land in the Falstones area of Lee Chapel North but this later changed when the Basildon Development Corporation provided - at an annual rent of £50 - a site on a former residential plot at No. 2 Bedford Road. Prior to the opening date 'Temple of Light' services were held for approximately 27 years at the British Legion Hall in High Road, Laindon. Laindon resident Tom Price, (born Thomas Peace Price; 02/06/1902 - /11/1984), then aged 70 of Ferndale, Suffolk Road, who worked part time for construction company Costain Concrete Co. Ltd., at Little Warley, was heavily involved in its construction supported by another local and work colleague, (Alfred) George Edwards, then of Vowler, High Road, Langdon Hills. Richard Ellidge, Vice-President of the Spiritualists’ National Union performed the opening duties. On 17th January 1974 the church was registered for solemnizing marriages. A Healing Sanctuary, begun in 1981, was completed later in the decade.

21st July

Gloucester Park athletics track officially opened. Costing £22,000 and sited at the northern end of the park, the 400 metre 8 lane all weather track was opened by the director of the National Sports Council, Walter Winterbottom. A full programme of events to mark the opening began the night before and included athletes from the German town of Heiligenhaus along with Basildon's All England Schools' junior cross country champion, Eamonn Martin. The centre green has hosted many local area football finals, where the venue is often referred to as Gloucester Park Bowl, due to the hilly landscaping.

August

Basildon Samaritans move to a new address at 16 Little Lullaway on the Lee Chapel North estate. The development corporation owned bungalow predates the new town; being one of around 17 to escape demolition when the estate was first constructed in the early 1960s. Prior to the move the Basildon Samaritans branch, founded in 1966, were based in a small detached single storey building numbered 35A in The Fremnells, Fryerns. Sometime during the mid 2000s a full width extension was added to the rear of the bungalow to create more offices. This was opened on 27th January 2006 by local MP Angela Smith.

31st August

Langdon Hills Primary School closes after 64 years. A new larger school, Lincewood Infant & Junior, was built in nearby Berry Lane to replace the High Road site, which remained open until the early 1990s as an annexe. The building is still used for educational purposes, now being an Essex County Council run Children's Support Service Centre.

September

Gloucester Park Play Centre opened. The new centre was built at a cost of £38,000 for use in Basildon Council's Play Leadership Scheme. In 2001, having also seen use in the 1990s as Parklands Nursery, it became Parklands Women's Centre but was demolished in April 2011 when the Basildon Sporting Village opened as the land had been sold to Barrett Homes as part of a residential development called Acacia Park.

1st September

Lincewood County Infant and Junior School in Berry Lane opened. The new school replaces Langdon Hills primary whose facilities and lack of playing field were considered inadequate for the growing local population. The first appointed junior headteacher was Mr John Wiggins, who had held the same post at Langdon Hills. Mrs B. Jackson was the first appointed infant headteacher. In September 2003 the two schools merged to become Lincewood Primary.

5th November

Basildon Round Table hold their ninth annual Firework Fiesta and bonfire at Markhams Chase Recreation Ground, Laindon. This annual event later transferred to Gloucester Park where it was held until 2012.