A FURIOUS councillor has threatened to take County Hall to the Local Government Ombudsman over a threeyear battle to fix “appalling” pavements in Canvey.

The poor condition of Linden Way has been branded a “disgrace” as the busy residential street is riddled with broken kerbstones, potholes, broken drains and cracked pavements.

Despite persistent complaints from borough and county councillors, as well as MP Rebecca Harris, Essex County Council has yet to repair all of the damage.

Now, Canvey Independent councillor Peter May is threatening to take the county council to the Local Government Ombudsman, claiming he has exhausted every possible means of getting the problems fixed.

Mr May, who represents Canvey central ward, said: “This has been going on for about three years now and enough is enough. The road is atrocious.

Even the MP said the condition of the road was disgusting.

“We took more than 100 photos and sent them to county councillor Rodney Bass. Our county councillors have tried, and I keep leaving them messages, but they never respond.

“Even Environmental Health found 60 faults with the road and filed a report.

“The council encourages people to report defects, but I don’t know how a resident would get on when even councillors and the MP can’t get something fixed.”

Most of the problems are said to be caused by articulated lorries, which regularly mount the kerbs when they turn into Linden Way.

Mr May also claims because the double yellow lines are so faded in Linden Way, cars regularly park at the corner with Long Road, making it dangerous for drivers.

He added: “It’s a wonder there hasn’t been an accident because drivers can’t see when they turn into Linden Way and have to stop with half their car sticking out into Long Road.”

County Hall claims it has carried out several repairs on the road and more are on the way.

An Essex Highways spokesman said: “Repairs have recently been carried out in Linden Way and further jobs have been raised and will be undertaken once the required underground statutory search to identify any gas, electrical or water utilities in the vicinity is completed.

“Essex County Council is encouraging all staff to update customers and to be responsive and flexible to the needs of Essex residents.”