There have been many complaints from residents regarding the condition of the roads and footpaths in the town and as a result we have sought explanations from the District Council which are given in their letter shown below:
"As you are aware funding for highway maintenance is provided by Essex County Council the Highway Authority for whom Basildon acts as Agents.
In 1995/96 funding for major highway repairs was £1,700,000 in Basildon but, unfortunately, since then this has been reduced to some £495,000. As a result the works being carried out in the District barely keep pace with the deterioration.
As a result of this reduction each reported defect is inspected and allocated a priority. Obviously public safety is paramount importance so those of immediate danger, Category 1, are allocated the highest priority whilst those of a maintenance nature, Category 2, are allocated the lowest.
A Category 1 defect will be made safe, at least temporarily, within 24 hours. A permanent repair will then be programmed within 28 days if necessary.
Category 2 defects will be dealt with as budgets allow and according to severity with most being accumulated and dealt with as part of planned maintenance if and when budgets are available.
Whilst safety defects will of course be made safe it cannot be guaranteed that more minor defects will be attended to in the foreseeable future unless, of course, they get worse or seriously threaten structural integrity.
For your information I attach a schedule of major works programmed for this year and my submission for next year. There are, of course, no guarantees that this latter list will be approved by the County. These lists do not include smaller ad hoc works that are undertaken as and when necessary throughout the year.
Footpaths - Mayflower Rd., Noak Hill, Salesbury Drive Area. Carriageways - Perry Street
Carriageways - Noak Hill, Sun Street, A129 London Rd., A129
Southend Rd., High Street/Norsey Road, Norsey Road.
Footways - A129 Southend Road, High Street, Dukes Road, Prince
Edward Road, The Redinge, Langham Crescent, Potash Road, Mountnessing
Road, The Warren, Western Road.
Once again the Association will this year be providing decorations for the High Street at Christmas time. As usual we have written to all the businesses and traders in the town asking for their financial support but this year we will not be having a flag day nor will we be making door to door collections, something we have never done. However we would be pleased to receive individual donations which should be sent to BDRA (Christmas Lights), c/o Mr A. Evans, 11, Porchester Road, Billericay, CM12 0UQ. The lights will be illuminated from Monday 1 December 1997 to Friday 2 January 1998. The Fun Night, organized by The Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower, will be held on Wednesday 10 December 1997
The National Blood Service is giving Billericay residents the chance to give blood at a brand new blood doning session and they are appealing to residents to come forward to give blood and make this session a great success.
Every time blood is given it is estimated that up to three lives could be saved depending on how much blood they need. You could be enabling someone to receive a desperately needed transfusion. Some operations require literally pints and pints of blood, or just as important components extracted from your blood, such as plasma, can play a key role in a range of procedures such as treating burns or preventing infection.
Year on year the demand for blood is increasing. Caroline Osbourne the National Blood Service Marketing Manager for the region said, " The new improved methods of surgery and the increased use of many products that can be made from a simple donation of blood are saving many lives, but the demand for blood grows at the rate of 4% a year. We all depend on voluntary donors to meet this need so we have to increase the number of donors all the time."
Becoming a blood donor is really very simple. For more information just ring 0345 711711 or turn up at this new blood doning session, the details of which are:
Place: West Billericay Community Association, Hannakins Farm
Date: Friday 7 November 1997
Time: 2.00pm - 4.30pm and 5.00pm - 7.45pm
DO SOMETHING AMAZING TODAY - SAVE A LIFE, GIVE BLOOD
The Adelphi Drama Company is the child of The Adelphi Players which was initially formed in 1989 under the name of Windmill Theatre Group. Its first presentation was the full length farce "See How They Run" and was performed on six consecutive nights in front of audiences exceeding 300 people. During the next four years they entered numerous one act festivals throughout the home counties receiving minor awards while obtaining priceless guidance and tutelage along the way. In 1993, under a new committee and new constitution, the group changed its name to Adelphi Players and with it came a change of fortune. Acting trophies and backstage awards were won at festivals at Rochester, Brentwood, Havering, Thurrock and places further afield like Croydon, Welling and Cambridge. The most prestigious honour came in 1996 when Adelphi Players were selected to exemplify Havering Drama at the Town's Gala Evening representing the 25th anniversary of twinning with the German town of Ludwigshafen. This splendid celebration was displayed at the Queens Theatre in Hornchurch with Mayors, Councillors and other dignitaries from both towns among the 500 plus audience. That was a night never to be forgotten.
Today, as with most all other amateur drama groups Adelphi Players find the financial strings and ever changing membership a heavy burden and now with a new name, The Adelphi Drama Group, they seek new members , with or without experience - backstage, actors, set design, make up, in fact anyone who is interested in the theatre. They meet on Tuesdays at 8.00pm in The Fold, Laindon Road, Billericay and specialize in local drama festivals and special performances. If you are interested pop along to The Fold or give Karin Ridgers a ring on 01277 655460.
"A" level Economics and Business Studies tuition. Experienced teacher and senior examiner. All relevant notes and course material provided. Assistance with course work. Tuition in your own home. Telephone 01268 732126.
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