Thorpe Bay speed bumps: other wards told to wait 2 years

Independent councillor and deputy leader, Ron Woodley, has been accused of using anti social behaviour and reckless driving to justify new measures in his own ward, while leaving other parts of the town at risk.

Mr Woodley began overseeing transport in Southend more than a year ago and quickly put a stop to all road changes due to a two-year backlog of work.

Thorpe Bay Garden has now had speed humps installed following “drag racing”.

But rival councillors are accusing Mr Woodley of putting his residents ahead of others - although he insists problems on the road make it an “urgent item”.

Conservative councillor Kevin Buck, who represents Prittlewell, said: “Many are rightly outraged at the fact that, despite being told last year there was a two year waiting list and no new schemes would be introduced, he has escalated a scheme to the top of the agenda for his ward.

“This is despite it not satisfying any of the requirements required for the introduction of control measures.

“Thorpe Bay Gardens had a speeding issue of less than 4 per cent and no known accidents or incidents.”

Mr Buck also highlighted that Hadleigh Road, in Westcliff, had approval for traffic calming measures before Thorpe Bay Gardens but residents are still waiting for the council to take action.

In an email seen by the Echo, Conservative councillor Derek Jarvis wrote to council bosses calling it a “scandal” that speed humps were prioritised.

Mr Woodley said: “I said I wanted to put on hold members requests to get rid of a two-year backlog but if one needs urgently dealing with for safety then we will do that and this on, Thorpe Bay Gardens is at the request of council officers and police due to anti-social speeding.

“People are driving at up to 60 mph up that road drag racing so it is considered an urgent item.”

He called claims he was putting his ward ahead of others “rubbish” and said it was all based on the recommendations from council officers.