My Plan to Improve Transport Across Brightlingsea, Alresford, Great Bentley, Elmstead Market and Thorrington
Over the past year I have spoken with many residents across Brightlingsea, Alresford, Great Bentley, Elmstead Market and Thorrington (BAGBEMT) about the everyday challenges of getting around.
The same issues come up again and again.
- Potholes that take too long to fix.
- Pavements that are uneven or overgrown.
- Junctions that feel unsafe.
- Bus services that do not connect communities properly.
These are not complicated problems. They are the basics of everyday life, and they should work properly.
If elected as your Essex County Councillor, I will focus on fixing these basics so people can move around our communities safely and easily.
To set out how this could be done, I have written a detailed policy paper called Getting Around BAGBEMT, looking at practical ways to improve transport across Brightlingsea, Alresford, Great Bentley, Elmstead Market and Thorrington.
Why this matters
Transport affects almost every part of daily life.
It determines how easily people can get to work, school, shops, healthcare and social activities. It also affects road safety, local businesses and the overall quality of life in our communities.
Our area has a unique geography.
Brightlingsea is a single access settlement connected by one main road, while nearby villages such as Alresford, Great Bentley, Elmstead Market and Thorrington rely on the same network to reach services and employment.
When this system does not work well, the impact is felt across the whole area.
Residents often describe the situation clearly.
“You cannot walk along some pavements safely with a pushchair or wheelchair.”
“The buses do not connect villages properly anymore.”
“The potholes get patched but the road keeps breaking up.”
These are practical issues that need practical solutions.
My priorities if elected
If elected as County Councillor, I will focus on five priorities to improve transport across the BAGBEMT area.
Fix the basics on roads and pavements
The condition of roads and pavements is the issue residents raise most often.
We need to move away from short term patch repairs and towards proper maintenance and resurfacing where roads have deteriorated.
This includes tackling recurring pothole problems, improving pavement maintenance and addressing drainage issues that damage roads.
Improve junction safety
Several junctions across Brightlingsea, Alresford, Great Bentley, Elmstead Market and Thorrington would benefit from safety improvements.
Better visibility, clearer road markings and improved signage can make a real difference.
Small changes at the right locations can significantly improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Make buses more useful for local residents
Public transport is still essential for many residents, particularly young people, older residents and those without access to a car.
However many services no longer connect villages effectively.
Improving village connections and links to rail services could make bus travel far more useful for local residents.
Deliver the Sunshine Coast Greenway
The Sunshine Coast Greenway is an exciting opportunity to create a safe walking and cycling route linking communities across the area.
Projects like this can improve health, support tourism and help local businesses while giving residents better access to the countryside.
If elected, I will continue working to move this project forward.
Improve accountability
Residents often feel decisions about roads and transport are made far away with little transparency.
If elected I will work to improve accountability by pushing for clearer reporting on repairs, better communication about planned works and stronger representation of local priorities at county level.
Residents should be able to see clearly what improvements are being delivered.
A BAGBEMT Getting Around Taskforce
I would also like to establish a BAGBEMT Getting Around Taskforce, a small volunteer group of local residents who care about improving roads, pavements and transport.
The aim would be simple.
Local people helping to identify issues, report problems and track whether repairs actually happen.
Residents often know exactly where the problems are. By working together we can ensure those issues are properly reported and followed up.
Read the full plan
The full policy paper sets out the evidence and proposals in detail.
You can read it here:
One reply on “My Plan to Improve Transport Across Brightlingsea, Alresford, Great Bentley, Elmstead Market and Thorrington”
This seems to cover the basics. It’s a shame it isn’t happening already but great that you intend to put this right if you are elected. Thank you