Potholes...time to send in the troops?

Potholes...time to send in the troops?

Here at Tory-run Brentwood Council, not so long ago, it was decided to jettison our Highways responsibility, to the Planet ECC.

A neighbouring satellite geographically, but light years away in terms of accountability, responsiveness and action. 

The frustration felt by Brentwood dwellers and drivers is mounting as damage to cars and tyres through potholes increases.

Meanwhile, the administration continues with the rhetoric that 'highways is a County issue' and stands by whilst Brentwood residents and drivers struggle on.
Conscientious councillors continually refer the issue of potholes through 'the members portal' but the response is slow.

 

Members have also tried to raise it at Highways meetings but are silenced by the chair and red tape.

 

Now, an ever growing band of Opposition 'freedom fighters' is set to raise this issue in ever more creative & inventive ways.

 

I took my camera out into my ward (Brentwood South) & utilised my enthusiasm for photography & art in order to raise the issue of potholes in Brentwood.

 

Taking inspiration from an artist called Slinkachu who specialises in tiny art installations, I decided that this could be an effective way of raising the plight of 'the little people'; that is all of us who are affected on a daily basis by the ever-increasing and deepening potholes all across Brentwood.

 

Whilst out taking these images, I was stopped countless times as residents asked what I was doing. Once I explained, they were fully supportive without exception and delighted to see these potholes, that cause so much damage and unnecessary worry, are being reported, if only by the Labour Opposition on Brentwood Council.                                                       
                                                                                                                                                       Can you spot the Storm Trooper?

                                                                                                                                                  

 

If you are affected by potholes in Brentwood and are at your wits end, like me, contact me via my council email julie.morrissey@brentwood.gov.uk and I will make sure that your pothole issue is reported to Essex County Council, as well as making sure that Brentwood Borough Council know just how many people are affected.

 

Check out the artist Slinkachu & his blogs

 Slinkachu blogs:

• Little People - a tiny street art project
• Inner city snail - a slow-moving street art project

A Vintage Year for Brentwood Politics?

Brentwood & Ongar Labour Party met last week for the first meeting of 2013 and it was our best attended yet; not just in numbers (although we were nearing 30 on a cold and wet Thursday evening) but also in diversity, enthusiasm, wisdom and intellect.

I suppose inevitably,  people at the meeting last week included charity workers, ex-local councillors (one of 40 year service) NHS staff and ex-nurses, doctors, IT whizzes, teachers and a college lecturer and the breadth of knowledge and political savvy in that tiny little hall gave me great hope for the future.

The range of people and our varying ages makes for lively and interesting debate. We had a half hour discussion about localism, which was supposed to last 10 minutes and could have gone on all night, followed by a fascinating update from 2 of our members who used to work in the health service and were keen that we were fully briefed on the new Health and Well Being Boards that will be in position very soon. The sense of team was powerful stuff

Of course, we have been known to sweat the small stuff and can get entirely hooked up on the position of a bus stop or the toilet in Stratford Station; this is part of what is important to everyday people living everyday lives.  
But we also get our teeth into campaigns and policy.

We made some great plans for 2013 at last week’s meeting – some great social plans and some great campaigning plans.

You should come along to our next meeting – I think 2013 is going to be a vintage year in Brentwood’s local politics.