Survey Comments & Update – 04/12/2021

SURVEY COMMENTS & UPDATE – 04/12/2021

Woodham Infrastructure Group Survey

There were 307 responses to this survey which focussed on the opinions of the residents and businesses in South Woodham Ferrers – an excellent result for this area.

This is about infrastructure – we are not campaigning against the new development in SWF. We recognise the need for new houses – although, for the sake of wildlife and the good of the planet,  we go along with the PM’s party conference speech in which he said that he wanted to build the homes the country needs “not on green fields” whenever it is reasonable & practical to do so.

Many of the questions in this survey were about a particular situation that will adversely affect South Woodham Ferrers and the Dengie – but most of the questions and answers have Essex wide implications.

The planners and developers have been given a clear steer on what people want. If they don’t like the results of our ‘on a shoestring’ survey they can conduct their own.

Whilst this survey was aimed at a small geographical area and a particular set of circumstances the findings have Essex wide implications. For example:

94% think Essex Highways is NOT ‘fit for purpose’. We suspect that this result will resonate with many throughout the county. Because of the discontent about the decision NOT to replace the Army and Navy with another flyover (as voiced on Facebook – details available on application), it was suggested that there should be a follow-up County-wide survey to assess the level of discontent with Essex Highways.

86% think that public consultations are just tick-box exercises. Our take on this is that in this area the decisions have usually been made in advance and there is no pretence of listening to the views of the public or acting on them.

Councils sometimes need to be reminded what residents want and need. We suspect that others will want to follow our example in trying to ensure this happens. There is a growing feeling that representatives should listen to what the public think rather than telling the public what to think. We suggest that whilst people are understandably sick of surveys, (every Tom, Dick and Harry wants feedback these days), when it comes to matters of importance, representatives should conduct surveys and abide by the results.

The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has got a major thumbs down. We need to look again at this problem. Whilst the ambulance service is struggling to cope with an ever-increasing workload maybe we should consider the French system. In his 2013 report, Sir Ken Knight argued that fire authorities ‘now need to transform themselves to reflect the entirely different era of risk’. The best way to achieve that transformation, he said, is to require fire crews to train as paramedics and perform ambulance duties when they are not engaged in rare moments of firefighting.

Pollution and green issues should be much higher up the agenda according to our respondents.

RESULTS

FIRE STATION/SERVICE:

1) There was a public meeting on 29th September 2021 in South Woodham which was attended by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (Roger Hirst). 96% think that the commissioner didn’t listen to and act on the points made by the town’s residents – and only 4% think he did.

2) With regard to this meeting, 96% of the respondents think the town and the surrounding area will be more unsafe (i.e. the residents will be more at risk) if the plans the Commissioner set out (Downgrading the Station to ‘on call’ only) are implemented – and only 4% think it wouldn’t.

3) 86% of respondents think that, if a tragedy occurs as a result of the implementation of the proposed changes, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner should be expected to resign immediately?

14% thought he shouldn’t be made to resign.

HIGHWAYS

4) 95% of those who responded think that a 40 mph limit on the Burnham Road (B1012) – when combined with the planned 6 pedestrian crossings and the 2 additional roundabouts that are part of the plan – will cause extensive traffic jams. 5% Disagreed.

5) 95% thought that a new bypass should be built to replace the existing bypass.

5% of those who responded thought a new bypass will not be needed.

6) We asked if the A132 (Burnham Rd) from South Woodham to the Rettendon Turnpike should be strengthened/widened and/or converted to a dual carriageway?

30% think it should be strengthened/widened.

66% think it should be strengthened/widened AND converted to a dual carriageway.

4% think it doesn’t need alteration and /or improvement.

7) 94% think Essex Highways is NOT ‘fit for purpose’

6% think Essex Highways is ‘fit for purpose’

CLIMATE CHANGE/POLLUTION

8) Q: Concerns about climate change are, rightly, at the top of the agenda at present. That said, do you think that the developer’s homage to green issues is genuine – or simply an attempt to save money and avoid making the necessary improvements to the local highways?

A: 86% think it’s simply an attempt to save money and avoid making the necessary improvements to the local highways.

6% think that the developer’s homage to green issues is genuine.

8% don’t know.

9) Q: Do you think that concerns about the increased traffic pollution due to (a) ‘stop/start’ traffic flows along the Burnham Road (B1012) past the residential property, a primary school and a health centre – and (b) the additional traffic on the Ferrers Road and other ‘rat runs’ through the existing part of the town (which are likely to be much busier as drivers try to find a way past the B1012) have been taken sufficiently seriously by the developers and planners?

A: 92% Don’t think that concerns about the increased traffic pollution have been taken sufficiently seriously by the developers and planners.

8% think that that concerns about the increased traffic pollution have been taken sufficiently seriously by the developers.

THE ROLE OF SWF TOWN COUNCIL

10) 98% of respondents think the Town Council should continue to fight hard (within the restraints placed on it) to achieve adequate infrastructure improvements for the town (and the new development) in accordance with its position as stated in its Response to Stage 2 of the Masterplan and a podcast of the previous Mayor’s views.

2% thought it shouldn’t do so.

11) 97% think that the Town Council should take soundings from the public prior to agreeing and publicising a clear strategy for dealing with the highways problems we have now and anticipate in the near future?

3% disagree.

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS IN THIS PART OF ESSEX

12) Q: There has been discussion about the merits or otherwise of public consultations given the way they’re conducted in this part of Essex? Do you feel that public consultations here are worthwhile exercises? Or do you think they are just tick-box exercises and that the decisions always seem to have been made prior to the ‘consultation’?

A: 86% think they are just tick-box exercises.

11% think they are a worthwhile exercise.

3% have no strong opinion either way.

A further development

We have received details of a successful judicial review. Here’s the headline:

The pensioner who took on proposals for 4,000 homes in Canterbury – and won (See – https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/canterbury-pensioner-who-took-proposals-6268274 )

The pensioner involved is Tom Lynch. We’ve been in touch with Tom and his barrister. We all hope that a workable solution that is in the best interest of those concerned can be reached without the need for the involvement of lawyers but, because of the tight time limits that apply in such cases, it’s wise to have a ‘Plan B’ set up in advance.