Alan Goggin Former Essex County Councillor - Established 1947

09/10/2026

B1027. Clacton Road. Westwood Park. Flag Hill.

The original feasibility report from 2020, with the coroner’s recommendations from 2024 have now reached the final stage. The signs showing the extension of the 40 MPH limit from the previous 60 MPH have been installed this week. There are some extra (smaller) reminder/repeater signs installed so hopefully there will be an immediate r effect.

It’s not perfect, and yes it did take longer than most expected, but the review recommendations are now in force, plus the extra coroners requests.

It’s been a unique journey with the 11 miles of the road with the worst accident history- possibly in East Anglia - definitely in Essex, being now subject to several speed changes and over 100 pieces of street furniture and signs running through Alresford, Thorrington, Gt.Bentley, and St.Osyth.

Heavily used by Clacton & Brightlingsea residents the road has other changes for discussion in the near future as some of the housing and commercial developments are completed.

A personal thank you from me for the support and patience from Parish Councillors and residents over the last few years.

To all the drivers making over a million journeys in a year on this road, please be careful. Lower speeds are a good start but what is really important are better driving standards.

03/10/2026

Speed reduction on B1027 - Clacton Road near Flag Hill. Following several years in the lobbying and planning stages, there is a new speed reduction being introduced in the next few days reducing the current 60 MPH to 40 MPH for an extra 600 metres starting near the Great Bentley Country Park.

Sadly the 11 miles from Alresford to Clacton has one of the worst records in the County for accidents and fatalities.
The feasibility report from July 2020 identified over 50 recommendations and this latest speed reduction is the last one to be implemented. Other reductions and street furniture were completed in November 2024 but this last stretch was delayed following a Coroner’s recommendation which has now been included.

Sadly whilst the overwhelming majority of Councils and residents were in favour of actions and reductions there were even objections from some just a few locals to the reduction. Crazy to try and understand and work around - made even worse by 3 more deaths during this implementation period.
For the vast majority of accidents speed itself was rarely the main cause. Dangerous and close driving was the main cause especially resulting in rear shunts.

Hopefully this further reduction and the added street furniture and signs will make drivers think twice.

Thanks to the many councillors from Alresford, Gt.Bentley, Thorrington, Sr.Osyth and Brightlinsea for supporting the initiative and to the residents for their patience.

Further developments along this stretch of the B1027 will definitely increase the volume of traffic, but hopefully this may sometimes assist with slower overall speeds.
No speed reductions are of use if you are a stupid dangerous driver.

17/09/2026

TDC Planning Committee. Planning Policy & Local Plan.
A few weeks ago I attended the local Plan Committee public meeting at Clacton.

I went primarily as a concerned resident, but also as the previous County Councillor involved over the last few years with the Well House planning discussions. My Well House limited involvement was just a small part of the overall plan and obviously specifically relating to Brightlingsea.

It is important to remember that the local plans have been under scrutiny and discussion for at least the last 4 years. Many hours and hours of work and meetings, supported by all our elected councillors from Brightlingsea, Tendring and Essex.

There was a modest public turnout, and I counted 15 residents or consultants, including 3 from Brightlingsea - including me.

On the Committee itself there was a strong local representation with Councillors Chapman, White, and Scott from Brightlingsea, St. Osyth, and Alresford. A good cross section and way more than any other division. All 3 represented local opinions and spoke in favour of the changes that were being discussed for approval. Councillor Chapman was especially good. A quiet but very thorough Councillor with many years full experience.

Although not at this particular meeting our other elected Tendring Councillors Steady & Barry have also worked hard and in conjunction with Town Mayors Morgan & Carr who have achieved some superb changes.

I especially wanted to hear from the TDC planning officers who were trying to deal with the totally unrealistic and unachievable targets for housing numbers. There is no doubt that he was the most knowledgeable person at the meeting, and he clearly and positively laid out the dreadful consequences of NOT taking the Local Plan forward on the night

All were left with no doubts about the consequences. We only have to look at recent developments in Rochford and Basildon in South Essex councils to understand the resulting lack of local influence with direct imposition from the Government.

I believe that Jayne will present a precis at this Thursdays Town Meeting. It was a long meeting, and mention was made as some members of the public left early before hearing the summaries and answers, - and off course the Vote. That was unanimously in favour.

Brightlingsea was specifically mentioned several times as a good example of where the Town Council had worked together with the planning department after good resident consultation.

The paperwork was over 600 pages and is available at the Town Hall for inspection. It covers the whole of Tendring, where decisions are being made. The second round of consultation is now live - but in a very different style.

06/09/2026

Many may have received a pamphlet direct to your home, but this is a small reminder that our MP, Sir Bernard Jenkin, is visiting Brightlingsea this coming Friday- September 11 - and holding a public meeting to provide updates and answer questions around national and local issues.

Although organised by the the local Conservative group, you do not have to be a supporter or member and there is not any entry fee.

If you wish to have a drink the Yacht Club bar is open for purchase as normal.

No advance ticket is needed and we are planning to start at 7 PM.
This is the fourth such meeting in recent years and they have been a good opportunity to hear views from one the most experienced members of Parliament.

18/08/2026

Clarity from a reliable source. Hopefully some rain in the next few days may help.

We’re extending our hosepipe ban to customers across our East region.

The hosepipe ban comes into effect immediately, covering the Tendring Peninsula in Essex (CO7, CO11, CO12, CO13, CO14, CO15, CO16). These customers join those in our Central region, who have been following the same restrictions brought in last month.

England recorded its warmest June on record, with temperatures reaching as high as 38°C. The Met Office has also published data showing this was England’s driest July on record, with just 6.5mm of rainfall.

This has affected Ardleigh Reservoir, which supplies around a third of the drinking water used across our East region. At the same time, demand for water is well above what we’d normally expect, placing further pressure on local water resources.

Introducing the hosepipe ban now will help protect water supplies for our customers, communities and the environment while these conditions continue.

The restrictions come into effect immediately and apply throughout the day and night until further notice.

We'll continue to monitor conditions closely and will lift the restrictions as soon as we're confident supplies can continue to meet demand.

Find out if you're affected, what's included in the hosepipe ban and whether any exemptions apply: affinitywater.co.uk/hosepipeban

30/07/2026

Advert for props and hookers.
They also live longer!!
Number 3.

09/07/2026

Good to see surface and top dressing on some of our bigger local road’s especially the B1029 serving Thorrington, Gt.Bentley & Brightlingsea.
Many are planned 12/18 months in advance to take advantage of the right weather conditions.
As always with fresh top-dressing and fresh white lines with “cats eyes”please drive slower than normal. It’s only a short time.
Yes there are always more roads and pavements to be included in programs, but the £2 million spent in our Brightlingsea Division over the last few years helps to understand the size of the various repair and maintenance budgets. We are definitely never ignored.

09/06/2026

I saw part of the programme and was very proud for you and your team. It looked like a fantastic experience for the Lads! Well done to you all. I follow your story with passion.

14/04/2026

Road works on Brightlingsea Road, B1029 for 15 to 17 April 2026.
Reference ECC number EC3006497278501.
UK Power Network.
There has been much social media speculation and some confusion about the above road works. I wanted to double check the facts as I had them.
Within the licence there are strict conditions. They have been there since the original Licence was granted many weeks ago.
These conditions are shown on the web site.
To be specific they are:-
Activities to take place between 09.30 AM & 14.30 PM.
All traffic management to be removed by 14.30,
Smart lights to be deployed on site.
Traffic not to stack back past property Quenby or Westerlings in the opposite direction.
There is to be no footway closure.
I am told that an ECC inspector will be on site early hours to make sure that the conditions are operative.
There will be inevitable delays whatever happens, so please allow some extra time for your journey.
Also please drive carefully. Be safe. The last thing anybody wants is an accident, or an injury to one of the workers.

While I was on the site, I double checked some works from Openreach for reference EC30096314896 on 21/22 April. I am told that these have the same conditions.

Hopefully there will be no "unknowns" or even unknown, unknowns, to force any last minute changes. At least the weather forecast looks okay!
Both Brightlingsea and Thorrington Councils are aware of these details. Hopefully the "stop/go" signs will not be needed.
I hope this clear, but if there any other questions please feel free to contact me direct on my email. [email protected]

13/03/2026

B1029. Church Road. The worsening pot hole on the hill has been upgraded to Emergancy following the motor accident. It appears to have been reported as a standard item on March 9. The reference number is 4029031.

The emergency upgrade has an expectation of 2/3 hours call out time, depending on where other vehicle’s are already working. This will create a traffic problem as residents return home.

Apologies for this. The team may operate some form of stop/go sign system. Even the easiest quick fix will take some time and will definitely cause disruption during rush hour.

The engineers attending will decide which immediate and longer term action is best suited. I have been promised an update. Sadly there is no repairing option that will not cause chaos. Please be careful and plan for extra term.
For all the Emergancy number is well publicised and is worth noting as 0345 603 7631.

This is a terrible time for potholes. Please be extra careful.