Essex Highways deemed 'not fit for purpose' in survey

Woodham Infrastructure Group says it is concerned about the condition of the county’s roads and challenged residents to state how confident they were in the authority.

The response was an overwhelming vote of no confidence, with 93 per cent of hundreds of respondents stating Essex Highways is not fit for purpose.

Essex Highways, however, said its inspectors are out daily assessing and tackling issues, adding “on a network as big as ours, we can’t know everything”.

Read Essex Highways' full response here

It follows a series of issues in Colchester which have drawn criticism towards highways bosses, including a sinking drain in a notorious flooding spot which had been covered up by repair workers.

The drain, under North Station bridge, was covered by tarmac as a quick fix, with Mile End councillor Martin Goss stating it was a “classic bodge it and scarper” from the workers.

Another issue saw grass on a busy road left uncut for almost two years after a contractor’s deal expired and was never replaced.

The Via Urbis Romanae, in Colchester, had a five year contract taken out by Essex County Council to cut the grass when it was built but, when it expired in January 2020, it took until December 2021 and pressure from the Gazette to see work resume.

Colchester councillor Lee Scordis said infrastructure issues are one of the most common complaints he gets from residents.

He said: “While we are forced to build ever-growing numbers of homes by the Government, they have failed for over a decade to provide councils with the much-needed funding for new roads, community centres, parks and schools.”

A spokesman for Woodham Infrastructure Group added: “There are constant complaints about failures to deal with potholes and other highways issues. No doubt this same applies to all of Essex.

“Potholes and highways issues seem to be hot topics throughout Essex and we are very concerned about the condition of the roads.”

For Essex Highways' response, click here