Residents in Essex are raising alarms about a slippery road that’s causing accidents, urging action from local authorities and developers to ensure safety.
The folks living in St Luke’s Park feel like no one is taking care of the road. They want either Essex County Council or the housing developer, Countryside, to step in and fix things. The development opened back in 2016, but the road hasn’t been adopted yet, which means it’s not getting the maintenance it needs.
St Luke’s Park has around 604 homes and some local amenities like a primary school and a Co-op. But to get to these places, drivers have to use St Luke’s Way, which is becoming a real concern, especially when the weather gets cold.
This road is also a busy bus route connecting Basildon to Stansted Airport. It’s been nine years since the estate opened, and Essex County Council still hasn’t taken over the road. Councillor Steve Davis, who lives there, mentioned that Countryside told him they don’t grit the road because it’s still under their control.
Councillor Davis shared that the road sees a lot of traffic. With about 1,000 people living in the area, it’s busy with parents dropping kids off at school and workers heading to nearby facilities.
Residents have reported several accidents during winter months. They’re frustrated because the streetlights don’t work, making it hard to see the ice. Out of 18 lampposts, only four are functioning. It’s a scary situation for anyone walking alone at night.
Davis also pointed out that while some roads have speed limit signs, others that are heavily used don’t. He’s worried about drainage issues too, as water runs across the road and freezes, making it even more dangerous.
He’s tried reaching out to both the council and the developer but hasn’t had much luck. It’s frustrating for him and other residents who just want to keep everyone safe. They’re worried that without action, serious accidents are bound to happen.
One resident, who prefers to stay anonymous, said she never expected to have to grit the road herself when she moved in three years ago. With over 600 homes, she thought it would be taken care of. Now, she and her neighbors are buying salt to try and keep the road safe.
She mentioned that even driving slowly doesn’t help much. The fear of sliding off into a ditch is real, and it’s frustrating to feel unsafe on the road, especially when they pay a lot in council tax.
Residents have even started sharing accident reports on a community WhatsApp group to warn each other about the conditions. Just this morning, someone fell off their motorbike.
Essex Highways stated that the road is privately owned and hasn’t been adopted yet, so they can’t grit it. They encourage residents to reach out to the developer for help.
Countryside didn’t comment directly but mentioned that not all roads are gritted once adopted. They’re working with Essex County Council to get the roads adopted, but there’s no clear timeline.
Essex County Council has specific criteria for gritting roads, and they can’t adopt the road until they’re sure it’s safe. They’re waiting for more information about a culvert on St Luke Way before they can take responsibility.
