Latest news with #Bexleyheath
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The shocking state of Bexley's pothole-ridden roads and what can be done to fix them
As your MP, I'm out every week speaking to residents across Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, Crayford, Northumberland Heath, and Slade Green. I meet residents who voted for me and those that didn't, some who share my politics and those that don't. Either way, I will always represent issues brought to me by my constituents. However, there is often one uniting topic that residents all agree on, and that is potholes and the state of roads across the constituency. Road maintenance is ultimately the responsibility of the London Borough of Bexley, but it's an issue that keeps coming up again and again. Residents don't feel their roads are being well maintained. Back in 2021, when I was a Bexley Councillor, I warned the Conservative administration that their plan to significantly cut the road maintenance budget to stave off the looming pressures of bankruptcy, would come back to haunt them. When the decision to cut road maintenance funding was made, the council's own documents acknowledged the risks of more insurance claims, worsening road conditions, and a reduced ability to maintain highways to safe standards. Daniel Francis, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Image: Nikki Powell) The document produced for leading councillors in the administration prior to the decision being agreed, admitted this could lead to more damage to vehicles, property, and personal injury. The data in the council's highways maintenance transparency report published on its website speaks for itself. According to these statistics: · The number of main roads (A roads) in the borough rated in the council's red category i.e. roads that require urgent attention, has increased by 680% in the last four years. · During this period, minor roads (B and C roads) in the red category have increased by a staggering 866%. That's why the Labour Government stepped in announcing a landmark investment earlier this year. Local councils have received an extra £500 million – enough to fill 7 million potholes a year. For Bexley this equates to an additional £895,000 for the council to fix the potholes across the borough. As your local MP I'm not responsible for the decisions the council makes, but I'm taking action. I've been out identifying potholes the council has missed - making sure this funding is used where it's needed most. I'm reporting every pothole I find on the FixMyStreet app, so you can track my reports in real-time. I've been shocked to see that this money isn't being spent. By making these reports, I'm ensuring that the council uses the money which the Government supplied to repair potholes across our borough. At the time of writing, I've reported 82 potholes across three council electoral wards in Crook Log, Crayford, and Northumberland Heath and there are more to go; as I monitor the position across Barnehurst, Bexleyheath, West Heath, and Slade Green & Northend wards. I've spoken to a number of constituents when I've been out reporting potholes and please do say hello if you see me out and about in the constituency with my tape measure on my pothole patrol.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after Bexleyheath e-bike and moped crash
A man in his 50s has been arrested after a crash between an e-bike and a moped in Bexleyheath. The incident happened outside Better Gym in Broadway just before 5.30pm on July 18. Officers attended and found a man in his 50s who had been involved in a crash with a 57-year-old man on a moped. The man on the e-bike was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving. He was taken to hospital with minor injuries before being taken to custody. He has since been released with no further action. A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called at 17:27hrs on Friday, 18 July to reports of a road traffic collision between a moped and an e-bike on Broadway, Bexleyheath. "Officers attended the scene where a man on an e-bike, in his 50s, collided with a man, aged 57, on a moped. "The man on the e-bike was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink-driving. "He was taken to hospital with minor injuries before being taken to custody. "He has since been released with no further action. "Enquiries are ongoing. "Please call police on 101 with the reference 6757/18JUL if you were a witness or have any information which may help." A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: 'We were called at 5.23pm on Friday 18 July to reports of road traffic collision on Broadway, Bexleyheath. 'We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew. 'We treated a patient and took them to hospital as a priority.'
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anger as Bexley dropped kerb denied 'over house being 30cm too small'
A woman has claimed she has been 'stonewalled' by Bexley Council after her bid to have a dropped kerb outside her house in Bexleyheath was dismissed. Louise McCarthy says it has been 'frustrating' to be denied a dropped kerb after she had worked hard for years to buy her first home in Standard Road. She first applied for the kerb to be lowered in October 2023 and was told that her home was not wide enough by 30cm under council rules. But she claimed that Bexley Council's position lacked 'commonsense' as other terraced houses in her street that have identical dimensions already have a dropped kerb. READ MORE - Louise McCarthy has pointed out that other terraced house in her road have a dropped kerb (Image: Louise McCarthy) Ms McCarthy has since appealed the decision and contacted the council on multiple occasions asking for 'discretion' but believes her pleas have been ignored. 'We knew it was a busy road when we bought the house, but we thought we could get a dropped kerb,' she explained. 'How they've dealt with it is quite shocking. They just say this is the policy and that's a red line. 'They're digging their heels in over 30cm. We just have nowhere to turn – it's near on impossible to park down the street especially on a weekday which is far from ideal.' She added that she felt the council has shown little concern for the implications of denying her a dropped kerb. 'I have to park further down the road and it's quite a quiet road at night – there's not many people around,' she explained. 'They clearly don't care about my safety.' Ms McCarthy added: 'We're doing a full renovation so we're planning on staying there for at least six or seven years. 'I've grown up in this area and I want to stay in this area. 'I've been fortunate enough and saved hard enough and worked hard enough to buy a house. 'Then to have this reception from the council has been hard work.' READ MORE - A Bexley Council spokesperson said that the minimum size requirements are to ensure that parked vehicles do not obstruct the pavement by overhanging or with opening doors. They added: 'Although an applicant may currently own a smaller vehicle, once a crossover is approved, in the future it would be available to be used by large vehicles by the applicant or future owners. 'Some properties on this road do have existing driveway access, but these were approved under earlier policies and cannot be revoked. "The current policy has been updated to reflect the increase in vehicle sizes in recent years and the problems experienced where driveways are too small.'
Daily Mail
05-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Jo Malone: ‘I can't stand Aperol spritz'
My favourite drink as a child was homemade ginger lemonade. My father, Andy, was a dab hand in the kitchen, and he'd often make shortbread and lemonade for my sister Tracey and me. He used fresh lemons, ginger and probably a bit too much sugar, but it was divine. I remember excitedly coming home from school on a Friday afternoon and there would be a big jug of fresh lemonade in the fridge with loads of ice cubes. I start every day with homemade juice. I'm pre-diabetic so I often feel light-headed when I wake up and need some sugar to rebalance me. My recipe is banana, lemon, raspberries or strawberries, some ginger and a teaspoon of turmeric. It's absolutely delicious. I don't drink coffee, but I love a strong cup of builder's tea and I try to drink a litre of water every morning, too. My first taste of alcohol was at a house party when I was 12. It was in Bexleyheath [South-east London ], where I grew up, and someone sneaked in some Woodpecker cider. We played Postman's Knock [a party game that includes lots of kissing] and swigged cider from the bottle. I didn't like the taste of it at all. I was much more interested in the kissing. On my first date with my husband Gary [Willcox, a former surveyor], we drank hot chocolate. It was 43 years ago and he was a competitive swimmer back then, so alcohol wasn't involved. We went for a walk around Wimbledon Common and it was a cold day, so we stopped at a tiny café and had hot chocolate. I still remember every detail, even the grey tracksuit Gary wore. It took me about five seconds to fall in love with him. The most memorable drink I've ever had was the night we decided to relocate to Dubai in 2023. Gary and I felt we'd never had the 'gap year' experience of moving abroad, so why not do it now? We sat in our London garden watching the sun set, me with a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc and Gary with a 0% beer, and decided the next morning we'd skydive together to symbolically seal the deal. And that's exactly what we did. My favourite cocktail has to be a vodka gimlet. I've always been into citrussy drinks and had a penchant for lemon barley water as a child. I love a coupe glass but I don't like the taste of champagne, so I always serve my vodka gimlets in them to feel stylish. I'm also a big fan of a kir, made with crème de cassis and dry white wine, on a warm evening when I'm on holiday in France. The worst drink I've ever tasted is Aperol spritz. I can't stand it. When I was young my parents would make me drink Lucozade when I was sick and I hated it. Whenever I see Aperol, it brings back that memory. The song I'll always sing on a night out is Dancing Queen by Abba. I recently took my son, Josh, and some of his friends to the Mamma Mia! Party at the O2 arena, where you sit in a replica Greek town square and everyone sings the hits and gets merry. Of course, after two glasses of white wine I was dancing on the table. At my funeral I'd like them to serve my new liquor, Jo Vodka. That feels like a fashionable way to sign off, serving a drink with my name on it! I've always loved the cleanness of vodka, and when it's fused with anything citrussy, the whole thing takes on a new life. Everyone could have a coupe and come together over my drink. I'd want it to feel celebratory, not sad. I've left a legacy with my signature scents and now my signature drinks, and that's something to remember me by.
The Independent
02-07-2025
- The Independent
New CCTV footage shows moment missing teenage girl, 16, was last seen in Dartford
New CCTV footage of a missing teenage girl has been released as police continue to search for her. Police are urging witnesses to come forward after Lola Bignell, 16, was reported missing in Kent on Monday. The footage shows Ms Bignell in the Heath Road area of Dartford on Tuesday and appears to show that she has dyed her hair black. Police say she may have travelled to Bexleyheath, Margate or the east Kent area, where she has links. 'The 16-year-old is described as around 5ft 5in and of slim build, with long brown hair and blue eyes,' Kent Police added. Anyone who has seen the teenager is advised to contact Kent Police or call 999 if they have critical information on her whereabouts. Messages of support poured in online in response to the urgent appeal, which was shared over 1,500 times. As well as multiple wishes that Ms Bignell is found 'safe and sound', the community raised concerns over the number of young people going missing. 'So many youngsters going missing, what's going on?' one comment read. 'Hope she is found.' Some 79 per cent of missing children are found within 24 hours and 90 per cent are found within two days, according to the charity Missing UK.
