Harlow Labour welcome pothole repair programme following their petition and protests
News / Wed 22nd Mar 2023 at 01:15pm
A LEADING Labour councillor has welcomed the news that a number of the major roads in Harlow will have their potholes repaired however, he believes it is being done due to pressure exerted by Labour and local residents.
Councillor James Griggs said: “Residents protests and a petition signed by over 1500 disgruntled Harlow residents may just have kicked ECC into action.
“The announcement of a timetable for pothole repairs in Harlow is to be welcomed but not without a heavy dose of scepticism.
“It was way back on 21st January this year that Harlow Council Leader Russell Perrin issued a late night press release announcing works were to start on First Ave immediately. We now learn that the ‘immediate’ work is scheduled to happen almost 4 months after its announcement!
“In that time the condition of First Ave and a multitude of other roads in Harlow have been subjected to significant further deterioration at great expense to drivers who have needed to replace damaged tyres and suspension parts on their vehicles.
“The timing is questionable, why have ECC refused to attend to this issue for so many years? They have suddenly found a conscience and decided to spend the money they have taken from us with year on year increases in council tax, anyone would think there’s an election imminent.
“The timetable they have announced means they can only be considering patching work, let’s hope it’s of a better standard than that which they recently undertook on Momples Road, that’s already breaking up!
“I, and all Harlow road users, eagerly await the proposed works but I’m definitely not going to hold my breath about the scale or quality of it”.
Herbert Thompson
2023-03-22 15:46:31
It's about time some one started to get thing done you talk to the council they say go on line Im glad labour stated to do something Conservatives haven't done much I thought our mp was talking about the potholes.?
Dan Long
2023-03-22 15:56:20
As I was always being told by the Labour administration party councillors. It as got nothing to do with you, it is a Essex county council matter so keep your noses out. Talk about two faced credit snatching.
Dan Long
2023-03-22 15:57:53
And they were for every saying that to me when i was a local councillor between 2014 and 2018
James Leppard
2023-03-22 16:00:19
The timing for this initiative is to do with the new Financial Year, commencing each April. Labour knows this, only too well and is just feigning naïvety. When they were in administration in Harlow, the roads were also terrible, yet they never held protests or started petitions. Strange. As for the protest along First Avenue, we counted about 23 participants; hardly a mass movement.
AEW1952
2023-03-22 16:48:12
James Leppard is correct, it's the new budget year and James Greggs also knows that. So, now that it has been agreed will anyone on the council publish what the schedule is?
Tony Durcan
2023-03-22 17:30:08
If its was the case ,that we had to wait for the financial year why has the MP claimed he has achieved this by his “Rob the builder can he fix it “latest announcement . He has lied to us yet again. Give credit to everyone including the chaps who were fishing in one of the potholes. Let’s just get it sorted…..
Alan Leverett
2023-03-22 18:07:56
Harlow Alliance Party is pleased to hear of the ECC recent announcement of planned works to Harlow main roads. I am sure this will be welcomed by those who travel by car or bus. It would appear all the political credit for this planned work is being claimed by both the labour and conservatives. I am aware the new financial year budget is released in April but I would not be surprised that the announcement is carefully timed to the elections coming up in May. Lets hope they find some more money to also put right the appalling state of the internal estate roads that are full of potholes before the elections.
Trevor Pyle
2023-03-22 22:37:20
Some Harlow citizens reach a new moronic low in the stupidity of their comments. I am stunned by the stupidity of some of the above including a former counsellor. Unbelievable. As reported in the Basildon Echo " AN EXTRA £9 million has been set aside for tackling road and footpath repairs over the coming year after council bosses came under fire for “failing to do enough” to maintain the county’s highways. In October, a budget statement revealed the county council is investing less than half of the amount needed to maintain roads, footways, street lighting and other public rights of way at their current level.It was also outlined the council no longer has a revenue budget for potholes, meaning they are now entirely reliant on the government pothole fund and capital maintenance allocation. The statement revealed the assets, including roads and footways, are in “managed decline”, as Essex County Council is investing £36.675 million per year of the £77 million required to maintain the assets. Er...it is the Tory run county council who ha e to take the blame. And yes, a local election coming has suddenly inspired it to act. What a surprise.
David Forman
2023-03-22 23:37:10
It's all a Punch & Judy show for the local elections.
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