Drivers outrage as 45 potholes plague Brimsdown Avenue, Laindon

Peter Coe, who lives on Brimsdown Avenue in Laindon, says the problem has plagued the road ever since he moved in nearly six years ago - with inspectors deeming the holes “not deep enough.”

He says the problem has got so bad that the craters - believed to be around two or three inches deep - are forcing cars to swerve in an attempt to dodge them.

Fears the holes could be a safety hazard have now been raised, after it was revealed one caused an elderly lady to trip and fall while walking down the street.

Mr Coe, 87, said: “It’s just disgusting. We counted 45 holes spread across the road.

“I’ve reported it and made I don’t know how many phone calls but nothing has happened. Essex County Council did send an inspector, but apparently these weren’t deemed deep enough.

“One lady actually fell over on one of the holes.

“You wouldn’t believe how bad it is, they’re all different sizes in width and length. When you drive you have to try and swerve around the worst ones.”

Laindon resident Bob Taylor, 73, added: “Part of the road is private and that part of the road is fine, it’s the part that is owned by the council that’s the problem. It can put the tracking out on your car.”

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It follows calls from Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan for the borough to become responsible for their own road repairs, with the role currently under Essex Highways.

He claims that at the current rate, it would take Essex County Council (ECC) more than 88 years to complete all of the current road repairs in Basildon alone - a claim which County Hall bosses have strongly denied.

Mr Callaghan added: “And that’s without a single other road defect being reported between now and the year 2109. 

“We give these guys £80 million a year from Basildon taxpayers and even when the repairs are done it’s a matter of days before the potholes are back again.”

Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: "Councillor Callaghan’s assertion on social media of how long it would take to fix every pothole in Basildon is wrong, but we are happy to help him out with the facts.

"It would actually take just 68 weeks to repair every single reported pothole in the borough, no matter how small.

“Last year we fixed 11,516 potholes across Essex and 1,156 in Basildon. We also completed 19 resurfacing schemes, despite postponements due to Covid-19.

“There are five smaller surfacing schemes to come in March and one full road resurfacing. In April, further resurfacing schemes will begin in Basildon which will not only remove existing potholes but will prevent them forming for years to come.

“Brimsdown Avenue is one street on our pothole repair list, having been put forward by local County Councillor Jeff Henry. This is part of a successful councillor-led scheme to speed up repairs to local roads. An inspector is due on site soon to re-assess the road surface.

“Our priority remains safety related work, but the county councillor-led scheme means that repairs will be carried out across Essex throughout the Spring.”

Basildon Labour Councillor Allan Davies, said: “For each councillor ECC has given a certain amount of potholes to report, so I have put this road in there - several people have been in touch about it.

“There is a lot, ranging from two or three inches deep and some are spread across a wider area.

"I’m also upset to hear someone has fallen. But as a safety issue, this is why I’ve put it forward.”