Last night’s West Area Committee was interesting at times, but most people seemed to leave with a sense of unease.
To begin with, we had Sgt Rob Gifford attending on behalf of Essex Police. He brought some bad news – anti-social behaviour was ‘above target’ but good news – a second Neighbourhood Officer for Rayleigh was arriving soon to join Wyn Sharp.
Onlinefocus team member Chris Stanley asked for a speed check near the junction of Down Hall Road and Hambro Hill and Sgt Giffors said he would put it forward for consideration.
Town Councillor Ian Ward asked for information on detection and conviction rates. Sgt Gifford didn’t have the information to hand, but said he would obtain it.
Councillor Chris Lumley raised the issue of youths gathering in the Approach. A few nights ago, he received a complaint about a problem at the Creswick Avenue, London Road junction. Chris went out to have a look for himself; the police arrived within 10 minutes and he wanted to thank them for that.
A resident also raised the problem of moped riders by the allotments in Kenilworth Gardens.
District Councillor Joan Mockford expressed concern about possible drug-taking in the drak by the closed off-license in London Road.
I see Chris got quoted in the Echo report on this meeting:
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local_news/rayleigh/8410487.Cash_cuts_halt_road_schemes/
Bad news about the improved crossing at the Rawreth Lane/DPW junction and the yellow lines.
On the subject of safety in DPW, was there ever a report on the cause of the crash on the bend by the entrance to the park?
I’m almost too angry to write about the highways issues right now!
As for the accident, I’ve not seen a report (but then councillors wouldn’t normally see one anyway….)
In relation to the policing discussions, I have seen Chris Black walking the beat around here more than I have seen police officers. I therefore propose that we give Chris full powers to arrest wrong-doers, together with a large baton for a deterrent.