Rollason Way: Congestion and Emergencies

You know, it’s been a while since I’ve written purely  about stuff other than films, or Dr Who.

Or posted up things other than the various Daily and Weekly Teasers.

Hopefully … ?

Hopefully, you’re enjoying those, by the way.

Either way?

Either way, a change of occasional pace — and a recognition that I live in a small, but growing, town — is nice.

As a the occasional reference to things OTHER than what’s on TV: or at the movies.

But, as I’m sure you’re aware … ?

As I’m sure you’re aware, I live in Brentwood: in Essex.

A small town best known for being one of the places where the Peasant’s Revolt started, way back when.

And where hit TV show, The Only Way Is Essex is filmed.

God help us!

At ANY rate … ?

You’ll possibly also be aware that I live on a road called Rollason Way: a road and estate that’s only been completed within the past few years.

An estate, in case you didn’t know, that’s a mixture of both privately owned and socially housed residents.

And an estate that’s always had its issues with parking.

The amount of over-parking in the area … ?

Has always been of some concern to me.

I’ve always personally felt the sheer number of parked cars on my street — some residents who can’t get into the limited carparks, some commuters who can’t get or afford spaces elsewhere — would block emergency vehicle access.

Indeed, that’s something an un-named spokesman told me was an issue, some five years ago: back when Rollason Way was a lot less crowded.

~≈Ê≈~

The Friday Question Set — 9-1-2015

You know, there’s a lot going on in France, at the moment.

Honestly, the gunmen who attacked Charlie Hebdo holed up in a printshop in a town in Northern France, and a gunman suspect a police woman, the same day, now seemingly holding hostages in a kosher supermarket in Paris!

Now is POSSIBLY not a good time to mention a little bit of news on my street: as I suspect it’ll get swamped.

But at any rate?

At ANY rate, I’ve just noticed a poster that’s been put on quite a few lamp-posts and French windows in my street.

The pictured one, from Essex County Fire Service: telling anyone parking in our street to do so, carefully.

And to be aware not doing so would block access for emergency vehicles.

Personally … ?

Personally, I’m grateful to whoever’s organised that.

But whoever’s organised these posters has addressed the emergency vehicle access I know I’ve been concerned about for years.

It may not do much.   But I hope these are maintained.

It means we can now say, people have been told … !

~≈Ÿ≈~

Ooooh … The Gazette’s At It, Again … !

No, Really, the Gazette’s at it, again: and thankfully, in a  GOOD way.

Now, as you’ve probably worked out … ?

As you’ve probably worked, I’ regularly buy the local paper, the Brentwood Gazette.

And I’m quite pleased — in this week’s edition — to see this report about how a fire in nearby Brunel House was triggered by a group of misbehaving local teens.

And how this was put out by one of the residents, a Mr Lee Williams.

Good for him … !

A couple of things in the article did catch my attention, though.

Firstly … ?

The simple fact that Encore, the company that manages that part of the estate — my block being managed by various branches of Circle Anglia, my landlords — is thinking of putting in smoke detectors into the communal areas.

The other part … ?

Is where the article says “ … when the fire engine arrived at the scene, it was unable to reach the property due to parked cars, as issue with residents for at least two years.”

Well, blow me … !

SOMEONE out there likes me!

Fire Engines

I’ve got to admit, I’m kicking myself.

Mildly.

Just in case I miss.

Because I took a photo, yesterday: of a fire engine visiting Saint James Road, to do some seriously heavily draining of an underground carpark that’s apparently in the area.

And then — in a rush to clear to the photos folder on me phone — accidentally deleted, before I could think about what I was doing … !

At any rate, the photo, itself, would have — I believe — reinforced my point about emergency vehicle access to the immediate neighbourhood.

Because — as ever — Saint James Road was clogged up with parked cars.

And the fire engine … ?

Had to squeeze through the available space, very slowly.

Had we had a genuine emergency … ?

Well …

MORE Mail …

Do you remember me saying — yesterday — that I was mildly miffed about not getting an email published by the Gazette?

And jokingly saying I’d send one to the Brentwood Weekly News, instead … ?

I’ve got to admit, I had a PERFECT excuse to, after having a look at their website, today.

Or, at least, their sites coverage of Tuesday night’s Planning Meeting.

I’ve got to admit, I had to send them something …

Dear Mr Lewis

I’ve got to admit, I read your online article about the — thankfully — refused planning application for 71 flats at Saint James Road.

And while you’re right in saying we’re mostly delighted, it’s still not a complete victory. I should know. I was the resident who spoke to object to the plans, on the night of the meeting.

My objection to the plans was and is on the basis of the parking in Saint James Road. I, as many of my neighbours, can tell you that the parking is extremely overcrowded. To the point where I believe that — at it’s worst and as things stand — it will prevent access for emergency vehicles both to Rollason Way and Wharf Road. I know I saw no mention of any objections from Essex County Fire Services on the agenda, that night.

Which sounds — to me — as if they’d not been consulted about it.

That’s why I personally call it an incomplete victory: after all, if the proposed offices go ahead, that will bring still more cars parked on the street. And increase the on-street parking even further.

Leaving less room for emergency vehicles.

I believe that may contribute to someone’s death, some day.

I know I’ve probably sent that in a bit late for publication, in this weeks edition.

Hopefully, that’ll go in next weeks!

‹‹‹◊›››

Just as a foot note, I think I should highlight the fact, while the Highways people were mentioned — complaining about motorbike and cycle parking spaces — it made no mention of any consultations with Essex Country Fire Services, or from whoever it is that runs the local ambulance services.

It also points out that Brentwood Council’s Parking Policies don’t match those of Essex County Council.

And as a further point … ?

The Recommendation section of the Agenda for that meeting — section 8 of the agenda — mention that conflict between the lack of employment in the area. AND that there’s a lack of amenities in the area.

But doesn’t mention that there’s not enough space, in my humble opinion.