Forum

"Firstly the Hadleigh Legacy Project would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the current works taking place within the Country Park.

In October contractors Hugh Pearl began construction work to improve and enhance existing trails to make them suitable for use all year round. They also started to create some of the new network of trails which will cater for different uses and abilities. The project is running on time and on budget and has the full capital funds it needs to be completed. The public will be able to access the full range of paths at Hadleigh Country Park from summer 2014. The final completion of all works, including the ‘Hub’ and Hadleigh Farm, the former Olympic Mountain Bike trails, is scheduled for Easter 2015.

Ultimately the work is being done to improve access for a wider range of users including walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers, runners and horse riders. The trail network will include the adapted Olympic Mountain Bike course, which will connect to the Country Park and the wider area by the network of multi-user trails for walkers, cyclists and other users.

New walking trails with interpretation panels, enhanced horse riding trails and cross-country running trails will also be provided within the Country Park. The improved trail network also includes enhancements to walking and cycling access between Benfleet and Leigh-on-Sea stations.

We are following a comprehensive Wildlife Protection Plan and Ecological Management Plan to manage user conflicts and protect sensitive environmental features from harm. Both plans have been approved by Natural England, who was also a key partner with Essex County Council when designing the Grasslands project. In addition we have an independent Ecological Clerk of Works onsite to ensure the works are carried out to the specification in the plans.

The new trail surfaces will take a few months to settle into the natural environment. The trail borders, which currently appear rather muddy, are being left to go to seed naturally in line with the ecological and protection plans, and the progression of the Grasslands Project to further develop the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status of the area.

In addition to this, to limit the impact of plant machinery working across the site we have been working closely with the contractors and Country Park Rangers to contain plant movement by using just one main access route through the Park. We are aware that recent weather conditions have led to an increase in mud on the access route and some of the trails but we hope that residents will understand that we are doing as much to mitigate this as possible.

In order to complete the works safely and efficiently, it has been necessary to temporarily close some pathways and establish diversions. We appreciate this may be disruptive for Park users and will therefore post regular updates on Country Park noticeboards showing where current closures and diversions are located, so that park users can alter their route if needed. "

Three emails have now been sent to our esteemed councillors and I await a satisfactory response.

26 November 2013
Dear Councillor Finch.
Many thanks for your swift response to my email of 21 November 2013.
I would like to comment that work commenced in September, not October and that far from enhancing existing trails, the contractors have totally ruined them.
I trust you are seeking enormous amounts of compensation for this disruption?
You are correct in stating that recent weather conditions have led to an increase in mud, but we are now in winter and conditions are only going to deteriorate further.
I am also highly pleased that the scheme is on budget and taxpayers money continues to be poured into a scheme that nobody asked for or wants, instead of preventing essential services from being maintained (Deanes School for example), but when are funds going to be spent on repairing the damage that has been done to the Downs to make it usable by walkers and runners, before someone sustains a serious accident?
This is the true legacy of the Olympics.
It is disappointing that none of the other main addressees have bothered to respond or offer support to their constituents and no one has taken up my offer to witness first-hand the abortion that is currently referred to as Benfleet Downs, part of Hadleigh Country Park.
The offer still stands.
Regards

3 December 2013
Ladies & gentlemen,
Obviously too much to expect a response from any of the 7 main addressees during the last week.
UKIP were evidently expanding their presence in the region according to the recent ECHO article. They would probably get more support if they bothered to respond to constituents’ communications.
Despite extensive objection to the work on Benfleet Downs and the way it was concealed within the Hadleigh Farm plans, work has gone ahead and the devastation virtually complete.
If any of the silent main addressees could answer:
1. Why has it been necessary to destroy acres of countryside adjoining the mountain bike trails?
2. Where was this covered in the plans?
3. Whilst it may possibly be considered reasonable to remove some of the excess scrub, please advise why it has been necessary to chop hundreds of well established trees that were not obstructing the development.
4. Although you claim to be on budget for the construction work, please advise the annual budget to maintain these tracks going forward.
I look forward to your response(s) in due course.
Regards

17 December 2013
Dear Councillors Finch, Goodwin, Stanley, Smith & Mr Anderson,
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas, but there seems little point as clearly none of you are in existence, as I am sure you would have had the courtesy to respond to my two previous emails below – going back to 26 November.
(Goodwin, Stanley and Smith – I have been trying to get a response from you for well over a year. Do you actually exist or are you like Father Christmas but without any good cheer?)
Conservatives amongst you will be delighted to know that Mr Huntman for UKIP did respond.
I would like to point out that following last night’s light rainfall, erosion of the tracks already installed has taken place. Will the cost of repair be included in your budget or will you simply let it fall into further disrepair as in the example set by other tracks?
In the meantime, if any of you could possibly spare a moment from your busy festive activities to respond to this point as well as the four listed below, I am sure the residents of South Benfleet, whom you still fail to consult with, will be delighted to hear your answers.
Regards

Wish whoever writing these emails would just bore offf