Multi-agency task force to respond to Brentwood High Street issues

The state of Brentwood High Street was the subject of a BBC news story this week:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy9elv1zjwxo

As Councillor Barry Aspinell (LD- Pilgrims Hatch) comments in the article, the Joint Administration is working to develop and launch a multi-agency task force to respond to the many issues that occur regularly on our High Streets and other community centres, including anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Aspinell said the council would create a panel of taxi drivers, business owners, Councillors, and other stakeholders to work together to improve the town’s High Street.

He noted Brentwood High Street had “changed beyond all recognition” since block paving and cobbles were laid in 2009.

“The pavements are all over the place. Nothing is safe or steady, but the road itself is appalling.”

He added that he had been highlighting the issue “since I became Leader of the Council.”

Indeed, speaking at May’s Council meeting, he acknowledged residents' concerns. Speaking on the day the General Election was announced, the calling of which delayed further action, he said:

“While Brentwood Council must play its part in addressing such issues, other bodies must share that responsibility. That means seeking a more joined-up and fully committed response.”

That includes Essex County Council, which Councillor Aspinell contacted in July to ask about plans for refurbishing the High Street. They confirmed they were aware of complaints, which would require a significant reconstruction scheme to fix, but no date was provided for when any designs might come forward.

While limited repairs to broken paving stones were undertaken at his request last year, the need to fully repair the roads remains.

In the meantime, a grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force, administered by Keep Britain Tidy, will help Brentwood Borough Council clean up gum and reduce gum littering. The Council received a £27,500 grant to tackle the issue, which was welcomed by Councillor Aspinell earlier last month.