Our roads can't take it, Our waterways can

In politics it is often hard to determine fact from fiction, in fact finding the truth on issues becomes the most important aspect of being a Councillor in today’s world. Let's look at a recent local issue and determine the facts:

There is currently a proposal for 85,000 lorries (one every 5 minutes) to use Thorpe Hall Avenue and Eastern Esplanade to deliver soil to the development on Gunners Park over the period of the next two and a half years. These roads are in a very poor state of disrepair due to neglect from portfolio holders for transport at Southend Council over the past 4 years. Conservative Councillors have at all levels challenged this proposal and the reasons for our opposition to this proposed route are quite simple, these roads are not suited for such a large amount of heavy vehicle movements. Not forgetting the risk to the welfare of the local residents, the safety of playing children, the noise, reduction in the air quality and the potential damage to private property and highway. Also, the possible damage to the main sewage line for the city which Anglian Water have advised me that they cannot guarantee the integrity of due to the frequent heavy vehicle movements. These risks are all far too great to allow these vehicle movements to proceed. The planning committee at Southend Council did not have the authority to stop this situation as this is a highways matter, not a planning one. If they had, they could have faced legal challenges which would not be wise considering the disastrous state of Southend Council's financial situation (i.e. an annual overspend of £7.3m).

We must provide alternatives

But, Southend Council, as the highways authority, have the ability to stop these vehicle movements as they should do as an obligation to protect it’s residents and their property not to mention the local infrastructure.

This is why Conservative Councillors have written to Cllr Steve Wakefield, Portfolio Holder for Transport at Southend Council, calling on him to do all he can to stop these movements. We are well aware of the fact that this development was given planning permission two years ago and the soil that is needed to lift the ground needs to be delivered to the site. Therefore, we must provide alternatives and we don't have to look far to find them.

Wallasea Island's recent expansion was built using soil extracted from crossrail in London. This soil was bought in by barge using our waterways. In Southend, we are blessed with one the best waterways in the Country and there is no reason why barges cannot be used to bring this soil into the site. This is why in our letter to Cllr Wakefield we have called on him to pursue this option instead, along with the use of trains when the water level is low.

Never presented as a legal option

I can hear many readers of this article already saying; 'why not just reject the planning application entirely'. The answer is, firstly, planning has to work within the confides of the law and there was a legal way we as a Council could have stopped some forms of development from being agreed. However, we were given the choice of either housing, or industrial units with permanent heavy vehicle movements. Now I for one would have opposed any form of development on this site. Unfortunately, that was never presented as a legal option.

Your views on the matter

Many of your will know that a petition has been set up and over 900 people in our area have signed it so far. There is clear public opposition and, my colleague and Leader of the Conservative Group on Southend Council, Cllr Tony Cox, approached the administration asking them to accept the petition. The response was that they had no intention to do anything with it. This, along with the lack of consultation with residents, Councillors and key stakeholders is a blatant disregard and disrespect to our democratic principles.

Along with Conservative colleagues we will be fighting the proposed route until the very end. It is not acceptable for the residents of the east of the city to suffer like this, especially when viable alternatives could be considered.

If you agree me or have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out as I would relish hearing your views on the matter.