A ROW over the maintenance of private roads in a borough could result in one council taking enforcement against another.

The dispute between Castle Point Council and Essex County Council rages on, each insisting the other is responsible for managing private roads.

Frustration over broken street lights and crumbling road surfaces being left untouched due to the impasse, has even prompted residents to take matters in to their own hands.

A meeting between the authorities in November aimed to resolve the issue and establish responsibility, yet ultimately this proved unsuccessful.

A spokesman for Castle Point Council says that a subsequent attempt to meet County Hall representatives had no reply and the council is calling on Essex County Council to admit the roads fall under their remit.

In a report written by Norman Smith, councillor responsible for regeneration and Jeffrey Stanley, deputy leader of the council, the pair bemoaned the “poor condition of the borough’s roads.”

It said: “We are aware the council is experiencing an increase in the number of complaints from members of the public.

“This is in relation to the poor condition of many of the roads around the borough and the lack of street lighting maintenance and repairs.

“Attempts to persuade the county council that it is their responsibility have been unsuccessful. We have provided historical information to demonstrate that in the case of at least two roads, they have been previously maintained at public expense.”

Over the next four weeks, Castle Point says it will attempt to resolve the current impasse, if unsuccessful it will proceed ahead with the enforcement notice.

County Hall then has one month from then to admit that it is liable to maintain the unadopted roads.

If it does not admit liability, an application for a repair order will need to be made to the Crown Court by Castle Point Council.

Should the authority be successful in court, the county council will be required to complete any improvements that are deemed necessary.

In February, Colin Letchford, a former independent councillor for Canvey East, took it upon himself to purchase two £18.99 street light bulbs and then fit them in the 22ft columns in Marine Parade.

He constructed a makeshift cherry picker by balancing a plywood board and work station on the top of his van to reach the bulbs.

Mr Letchford says he changed the bulbs after receiving complaints from residents in the road, who were concerned about safety.

A spokesman for Essex County Council has insisted it would still work with Castle Point to solve the issue, but says it will retain its stance.