Woodside residents hit back at Southend Council pavement works

Southend Council begun work last week to replace the paving slabs in Woodside, Leigh, but residents say they were never consulted on the changes.

Council bosses have defended the works and say there is no legal requirement to consult residents on road and pavement resurfacing programmes.

Resident and former councillor Stephen Aylen says the whole community is opposed to the scheme.

Anger - Residents say they did not ask for the changes

“They are pulling up paving stones, smashing them, chucking them on the back of trucks and putting down this awful low-quality asphalt in place in patches,” he said.

“Not only is it an ugly eye-sore, but the pavements here were just fine, and there are far worse roads all around Belfairs, it seems to be a waste of money to do work nobody asked for.”

The old paving

Resident Robert Hazell says he returned from holiday with his family on Friday night to find the slabs in front of his driveway had been removed and replaced.

“There was nothing wrong with the slabs, they were all stable and certainly no trip hazards like so many other pavements around Belfairs and elsewhere in the city,” he said.

The new tarmac

“Now, after five days, the asphalt, has already started to break up when cars drive across it.

"The surface has not been properly finished off with no edging and is not suitable for vehicular traffic.

"It now presents a significant ongoing liability for the council to maintain.”

He added: “Having driven my car over it four times in one day, twice out and twice into the drive, the surface is already getting damaged.”

Councillor Steven Wakefield, responsible for highways, transport and parking, said: “The work to replace the pavement on Woodside have been undertaken to help improve safety for residents, with some proactive repairs.

“The policy was approved in cabinet in 2020 and meant that all pavement resurfacing and repair works would see black asphalt used regardless of current surface type.

"The higher costs associated with replacing slabs, their unsuitability for areas around tree roots and overrun from vehicles, drove this change and will mean a safer walking surface for residents.”