A POWER firm was threatened with daily fines to spur the repair of a Benfleet pavement left in an “appalling state”.

UK Power Networks (UKPN) came under fire over “dangerous and crumbling edges” on Fernlea Road and Hill Road.

The firm finished works to repair underground cabling on Wednesday evening and on Friday afternoon UKPN returned to the site to remedy the issues.

Images taken at the scene demonstrate cracks, uneven surfaces and mud and debris strewn across the pavement and roads.

But Andrew Sheldon, Conservative county councillor for South Benfleet, says the firm left the roads in a “completely unacceptable state”.

Echo: The state of the pavementThe state of the pavement (Image: Andrew Sheldon)

Essex Highways ordered UKPN to return and repair the pavements and said it would fine the company £250 every day until they were repaired and jetwashed on Friday afternoon.

“They left the road and the footpath in a truly appalling state. There were dangerous edges, crumbling edges and mud and paint everywhere,” Mr Sheldon said.

“It was completely unacceptable.

“The roads were inspected by Essex Highways and UKPN were made to come back and make good.”

Echo: The Fernlea Road sectionThe Fernlea Road section (Image: Andrew Sheldon)

The former Castle point Council leader also recently lobbied UKPN to urgently fix “dangerously leaning” telegraph poles in High Road.

Mr Sheldon says the firm has pledged to replace the telegraph poles later this week.

Echo: 'Dangerous' - Mr Sheldon says the pavements could be a trip hazard'Dangerous' - Mr Sheldon says the pavements could be a trip hazard (Image: Andrew Sheldon)

He added: “We have had a fair few issues with UKPN in recent months.

“I think UKPN’s local management is doing the best they can, but I don’t think the company as a whole is prioritising the things that residents on the ground want to see.

“They want to see their streetlights repaired quickly, they want to see their pavements left in a usable fashion.

“We need UKPN to prioritise the highways things that people require for safety.”

A UKPN spokesman said: “As soon as this was brought to our attention we arranged for our contractor to return to Fernlea Road to remedy the defect and jetwash the area.

"We would like to apologise for any concern caused."