The New Dagenham heathway?
Barking and Dagenham council must have a large supply of rose tinted glasses. If you have been listening to all the hype about the improvements to the Dagenham Heathway, you could be forgiven for thinking you are going mad.
All the over the top PR and back slapping, has lead many to believe, that our little Dagenham high street, was about to become the next Knightsbridge. So, with the bulk of the work done, where are we?
We have wider paths, for the decreasing numbers of shoppers to walk on. I suppose who ever came up with the plan, thought it would look elegant. To my mind it just makes the place look even more deserted. Then we have the road itself.
How long will it be before someone is seriously hurt crossing (the newly improved) Dagenham Heathway? Some motorists think the central reservation is for parking on. Some think its for over-taking, others think it is a third lane. Meanwhile, a large number of pedestrians think it is a safe island to use while crossing the road. In short, it is a disaster waiting to happen.
Just as a side thought, have you driven over the Heathway from the Chequers end? Why does the curb suddenly jut out as you get to the station? How many cars are going to break down because they have hit this strange feature?
We, as residents, have had to listen to the high and mighty of Dagenham go on about regeneration. We have been patient for years, since Sainsbury’s closed, waiting for a new supermarket. Our Dagenham councillors promised to deliver and failed. Our Dagenham MP promised it was high on his agenda and failed to deliver. Then, all of a sudden, after years of waiting they all came out to herald the arrival of the long awaited supermarket. And what did we get?
Tesco Express, our not so super, super market. Can you do your weeks shopping there? No. Would swinging anything larger than a cat knock everything off the shelf? Yes. Lets face it, I’m sure we have all been in larger corner shops.
I’m sure ‘The regeneration of the Heathway’ Dagenham has cost millions. I am also sure, that we will not be seeing the arrival of Marks and Spencer any time soon.
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