Brentwood LibDems keep High Street works under review

Your local friendly Liberal Democrat councillors have been keeping a close eye on the refurbishment of Brentwood High Street.

Brentwood High Street is open for business, although it is closed to traffic while essential road works take place. Cadent are upgrading the old metal gas pipes along the High Street. Essex Highways is also using this opportunity to replace the previous granite slabs and to resurface the road.

A road closure and diversions will be in place for the duration of the works, while Cadent operatives are on site to facilitate business deliveries.

Councillor Barry Aspinell, the Leader of the Council, says: "I'm pleased that, after much persuasion by myself and others, Essex County Council have agreed to resurface the High Street, alongside the existing Cadent works.

"While I regret the disruption necessary to achieve these works, I believe the resurfacing will benefit residents and retailers alike, as we move forward with our regeneration plans for the future, including plans to improve our heritage site at Chapel High and our plans for the Baytree Centre.”

Following complaints from residents and businesses, Councillor Aspinell spoke to Essex Highways to ensure that dust and chippings were addressed by ECC and Cadent officials, arguing that the level of protection to businesses and shoppers in our High Street was “woefully inadequate” whilst these works are being undertaken.

Essex County Council agreed with him and has also installed noise protection for workers, while arranging for a water bowser to dampen the road surface before breaking or cutting it from now on.

Essex Highways are due to complete the resurfacing works by 26th October, with Cadent Gas due to complete the final section of works thereafter.

He has also spoken to Essex Highways about facilitating alternative parking for disabled drivers to replace the large number of spaces now missing on the High Street, pending completion.

Councillor Aspinell said he was aware of resident comments about the need to revitalise businesses in the High Street, alongside improving the roads and pavements, saying: "My task force on the High Street had a very productive meeting in August to consider revitalising our town centre and making it healthier, cleaner, greener and safer."

Separately, Warley councillors have raised the issue of lorries using Queens Road for deliveries connected with the redevelopment, reminding Cadent and Highways of the need to comply with the existing 7.5-ton restriction for lorries.

Councillor Aspinell agrees, saying: “Queens Road, with its narrow pavements and extensive pedestrian use by schoolchildren, should not be used as a diversion for these huge lorries.”

We are also aware of proposed roadworks by Essex Highways on Ingrave Road. We are speaking with Cadent Gas and other stakeholders to ensure that the works do not overlap and disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.