Calls to fix Brentwood high street 14 years after revamp

Residents have described a high street as a "death trap" because of its deteriorating road surface, 14 years after it was given a face lift.

Councillors in Brentwood have asked Essex Highways to carry out a full audit of the town's high street within the next three months.

Essex Highways said it had to prioritise the most "urgent" defects.

Brentwood Access Group chairman Jim Hoare said there were 4-inch (10cm) deep potholes.

Mr Hoare, who uses a mobility scooter, said the condition of the pavements was equally as severe.

"I've got three wheels but they're still deathly dangerous," he told BBC Essex.

"Some of the pavements in the high street are bad and some of the pavements in the passage ways are worse."

Ruth Turner, another resident who has lived in Brentwood for 40 years, said: "The high street is dreadful, you can only go a few yards before you trip. I have seen people fall over.

She added: "For people who have mobility issues and can't walk properly, they really are very dangerous."

Brentwood councillors agreed to demand the full audit following a motion put forward by Labour councillor Tim Barrett at a meeting last week.

Essex Highways is part of Conservative-run Essex County Council.

Will Russell, Conservative group leader at the council, supported the motion and said it was not a recent issue.

The high street was revamped at a cost of £11m in 2009.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: "In order to maximise our resources, we have to prioritise and schedule our work and fix the most urgent issues first.

"All defects reported to us are assessed by an inspector and prioritised accordingly."

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