There is a feeling that decisions affecting SWF and the Dengie are made far away by bureaucrats who don't understand the local situation and have little or no interest in the well-being of the residents. There is also a distinct impression that 'public consultations' are mere tick box exercises - the views of the people who live here are never taken into account. All too often information is withheld from the public until AFTER the consultation period is over and AFTER a final decision has been made.
Starting in a small way, we hope to change all that.
We will concentrate on one aspect of the infrastructure on which there is agreement . The Burnham Road - the main artery supplying the Dengie - will grind to a halt during busy times if the day (and South Woodham will be gridlocked) unless a sensible solution is found to the problem that faces us: how to improve the roads to enable them to cope with the additional traffic generated bu new housing developments and the construction of the Bradwell B power station.
For more information, read on ...
The Situation
There are to be new housing developments in Maldon, South Woodham and the Dengie and, in all likelihood, a new PowerStation: Bradwell B.
This will generate a great deal of traffic both during the building phase and thereafter. It has been estimated that some 500-700 HGVs servicing the Bradwell B site alone will negotiate the Burnham Road each day.
The pinch point is the Burnham Road as it passes on what is currently the northern border of South Woodham (although it will shortly bisect the town when the new development is completed.) It is already groaning under the strain and there are often tailbacks at the busiest times. There are no plans to widen the road or create a bypass to deal the with additional traffic. All the bypasses currently mooted stop at the Maldon district border leaving SWF out completely. The Bradwell B team acknowledges that Latchingdon, Mayland etc need bypasses but the common exit (the pinch point leading to the A12) has been ignored. To make matters worse, Essex proposes to set up 6 uncoordinated pedestrian crossings along this section of the Burnham Road to link the new South Woodham development to the existing town and claims that this will have no adverse effect on traffic flow
One glance at a map is enough to demonstrate the problem this will cause, not only to South Woodham residents, but to all those living in or near the route from Bradwell B to the Rettendon Turnpike who have to commute by road.
If you want more information, read on. Included are some articles that have appeared in local newspapers, responses to the public enquiry and a response from an elected body (in which the relevant sections have been highlighted)