Frinton Residents' Association - Current Issues

The Committee is currently working with local Councillors representing Frinton & Walton Town Council, Tendring District Council and Essex County Council, together with other groups to help address the following matters which are of concern to residents.

If you would like to email your comments, or any information regarding the issues below, please click on the underlined heading of the appropriate subject. Alternatively, for general comments, please click here.

1. The Beach, Promenade and Esplanade

a. Promenade Toilets
As a result of the efforts of Councillors and Residents, we do have a new toilet block on the Esplanade at the junction with Connaught Avenue. This state of the art facility replaced the previous 70-year-old building. Frinton-on-Sea's new public convenience was given a five-star rating by the British Toilet Association. The building was designed to be environmentally and user friendly, and provides easy access for the disabled and baby-changing facilities.

b. Cold showers
The installation of cold showers by existing water tap points has been the subject of on-going discussion for some time, but now serious consideration is taking place and it is hoped that showers will be installed shortly.

c. Resurfacing of promenade
This topic is continually under review as it is only natural that over time deterioration will take place.

NB The Association of Frinton Beach Hut Owners (AFBHO) liaise with the FRA on items a, b and c above and also look into issues relating to the security and vandalism of beach huts.

d. Bye-laws
Display and enforcement of bye-laws needs to be monitored. Details of those in force in Frinton-on-Sea can be found on the Tendring District Council website.

e. Parking on the Esplanade
The current herring-bone layout appears to work well but there is continued discussion on whether parking meters should be installed. See the FAQs page for further information. In addition, we are discussing the problems of summer visitors parking close to corners of roads leading onto The Esplanade, thereby making it difficult for cars exiting at these junctions, together with the increasing number of coaches parking on The Esplanade. Section 4b below also refers to parking.

f. Graffiti
There have been a number of incidences of graffiti on the sea wall and on a large number of beach huts. The Residents' Association has been in discussion with the Association of Frinton Beach Hut Owners and Tendring District Council with regard to its speedy removal, and we can report that action was taken as quickly as possible.

g. Dog Fouling
Initially, this was just seen to be a problem on The Esplanade, but now there are increasing occurrences in other parts of the Town. To help alleviate the problem in a specific area of the Town, the Association financed the purchase and installation of one additional Dog Litterbin initially, which has been positioned at the junction of Church Walk and Old Road.

To curtail the actions of what is possibly only a few irresponsible dog owners, residents are asked to report any incidents they witness to the Dog Warden on 01255 686766 as dog fouling can be a serious health hazard, especially if it is not cleaned up immediately.

h. Floating Rafts
The re-introduction of floating rafts is currently under discussion, and investigation is being made into the dangers and insurance issues.

i. Shoreline Management
At the FRA Half-Yearly Meeting held on 20 November 2010, Councillor Nick Turner reported that although The Shoreline Management Plan prepared by the Environmental Agency originally stated that by 2055 Frinton Golf Club would be flooded by the sea via Holland Haven, this decision was reversed after a meeting was held at the Golf Club, attended by TDC representatives and the Environment Agency, and the local MP, Douglas Carswell, became involved. It has now been agreed that up to 2110 the shoreline will be held.

2. The Railway Station and the Level Crossing Barriers

a. Station Maintenance, Security and Operation
This is the responsibility of Network Rail.

b. Level Crossing
The famous 'Frinton Gates' were replaced with a barrier system on 18 April 2009 despite a campaign to retain the Gates mounted by the Frinton Gates Preservation Society (FGPS) during the previous three years. This campaign was supported by The Frinton Residents' Association, District and Town Councillors. Further information on the famous "Gates" is available in a report which covers their history as well as why we believed they should have remained where they were. David Foster is now keeping a record of incidents occurring at the Level Crossing and these can be reported direct to him by email, or to the Frinton Residents' Association.

3. Connaught Avenue

a. Shops
As is the case in many other small towns in this country, shopkeepers in Frinton-on-Sea are experiencing difficulties and many small shops have closed recently. The Frinton Residents' Association feels very strongly that efforts should be made to retain our local shops and, therefore, are asking everyone to support the local Chamber of Commerce Campaign entitled 'Support Your Local Business'.

b. Regeneration Project
This was an Essex County Council initiative which again was supported by The Frinton Residents' Association. After public consultation, the first phase of the project was completed in May 2010; this included improvements to underground services where work was undertaken by National Grid, and the replacement of trees. The second phase began at the end of January 2011 and was completed at the end of June 2011. The official Opening Ceremony which included unveiling a stone at the end of Harold Grove, took place on 4 July 2011. This phase included new paving, more effective street lighting, installation of traffic throats to slow traffic and assist pedestrians when crossing the road, new rubbish bins, etc. The final task was the re-surfacing of the road in the shopping area and an additional area at the end of Fourth Avenue (not part of the original project) has now also been re-surfaced. The Association is now asking for clearer signage at the Co-op end of Connaught Avenue, indicating that commercial vehicles and coaches should turn left into Queens Road rather than proceed down Connaught Avenue. Also discussions are now taking place on licensing arrangements for street furniture, etc, on the pavements in Connaught Avenue to ensure that there is sufficient space available for pedestrians, in particular those who are blind.

The aim was to revitalise this shopping street, and although there was some disruption while the works were carried out, the Association believes that the final result has justified the inconvenience.

c. Bye-laws on pavement selling and delivery vehicles
Again, enforcement of bye-laws needs to be monitored. Details of those in force in Frinton-on-Sea can be found on the Tendring District Council website.

Meetings, chaired by ECC, are currently taking place to discuss future arrangements for licencing of street furniture, "A" boards, etc, in Connaught Avenue, and are attended by a representative of the Association.

d. Ratio of Shops and Office Premises
The ratio of A1 (Retail) to A2 (Office) premises in what is essentially a shopping street is reviewed by the FRA Planning Team whenever planning applications are submitted which relate to this area.

4. Traffic

a. Speed limit
Discussions regarding a speed limit of 20 mph throughout the town are on-going, but there is a proposal to enforce a 20mph limit in Connaught Avenue after the regeneration work is complete.

b. Parking Restrictions
For further information on Parking Restrictions, go to our FAQs page. There is currently a proposal that Essex County Council will enforce county-wide parking arrangements throughout Essex which could mean that Frinton-on-Sea could lose the advantage of the free parking on The Esplanade and in Connaught Avenue.

c. Traffic Lights
ECC have now decided against the proposal for Traffic Lights to be positioned near the railway bridge at Kirby Cross as a result of objections raised by The Frinton Residents' Association, together with other local residents' associations and the Town Council as this would have resulted in traffic jams at the roundabout at the junction of Frinton Road and the road leading to Great Holland.

5. Environment

a. Roads, Pavements, Footpaths and Cycle Paths
To report potholes larger than 20 cms wide and 5 cm deep, go to the Essex County Council website and select 'Report a Highway Fault'. Alternatively, telephone 0845 6037631 or email: H&TLocalism&Customereast@essex.gov.uk. Dangerous paving should also be reported to Essex County Council.

b. Skips
Skips parked on grass verges or unlit on the streets should also be reported to Essex County Council.

c. Mowing of verges

d. Flower bed maintenance

e. Health of trees

NB The Frinton in Bloom Group monitor items c, d and e above as well carrying out planting in public places.

f. Waste Collection
Councillor Nick Turner has confirmed that despite budget cuts, our weekly waste collections will continue. The FRA is also involved in consultation on future Waste Development proposals as although commercial and industrial space is stable, space for domestic waste is running out. There is also a suggestion of dealing with waste at source.

g. Garden waste collection
At present garden waste is not collected by the local council, but it is the subject of on-going discussions.

6. General

a. Crime & Public Safety
Anti social behaviour can be reported on 0845 6052222. Incidents can be reported to PCSOs who patrol constantly by ringing 07850 631017, but 999 should always be used to report a serious crime.

b. Youth Issues
Discussion on these issues is undertaken by the Neighbourhood Action Panel.

c. Planning Applications
Applications affecting Frinton-on-Sea are reviewed by the FRA Planning Team.

d. Health Issues
The Residents' Association has been involved in discussions regarding the proposed surgery in Elm Tree Avenue, the fact that the nearest Cardiac Unit is based in Basildon and security of data in light of proposals for Summary Care Records to be stored electronically, and a representative of NE Essex NHS Primary Care Trust did answer questions on these subjects at the AGM held in April 2010. (Report on the Open Meeting held after the AGM on 24th April 2010 refers.)

However, all the above issues have been put on hold in the light of the demise of PCTs in 2013. Now the FRA are involved in consultations on the NHS Public & Patient Strategy for NE Essex GP Commissioning in order to try and ensure we get the local health services that we need.

e. Bus Routes
In response to a request from a member, the Residents' Association has been corresponding with First Bus Eastern Counties Buses Limited in an effort to persuade them to extend the No 8 Bus Route into Frinton Town Centre. The FRA have also having discussions with ECC regarding whether this extension to the route could be subsidised. However, in the light of budget cuts, it is unlikely that ECC will subsidise a bus route into Frinton Town Centre and First have not indicated that they are prepared to do so.

However, if any resident would like to write to complain about the bus services, in particular the fact that neither the No 7 or No 8 (Clackton-on-Sea services) enter the Town Centre, they should write to the Customer Service Manager, First, Westway, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 3AR. If sufficient residents ask for this service to be extended, it might happen!

f. Gravestones in Kirby Cemetery
Again in response to a request from a member, representatives of the Residents' Association have had discussions with the District Council with regard to alternatives to the ugly straps and stakes that have been used to support old gravestones. However, for the same reason as given above, we do not believe any further action will be taken by TDC with regard to the gravestones in Kirby Cemetery.

g. Libraries
Luckily, we are not going to lose our local library, but the opening hours are being cut from 48 hours a week to 34 hours a week.

h. Frinton & Walton Swimming Pool
There is currently a proposal that the management of the pool will be taken over by Frinton & Walton Town Council, but nothing will be decided until after the May 2011 elections.

i. High Speed Broadband
Frinton was successful in achieving the required percentage of votes in the BT 'Race to Infinity' initiative to enable HighSpeed Broadband to be installed in the area in the near future. In fact, this achievement was reported in the Wall Street Journal.

As a result, BT has been increasing the Broadband speed since June 2011. To check your line speed, access the website (www.bt.com) and enter your postcode.

j. Local Listings of Houses of Architectural Importance
Local organisations who have shown an interest are being invited to attend a half-day workshop in March 2011. This has been arranged by the Heritage & Conservation Manager at Tendring District Council, and will provide an opportunity for further discussion on the feasibility of this proposal.

k. The Big Society
It is felt that the Government proposal contained in the Localism Bill to move power down to the lowest possible level, ie to give power to individuals, professionals, communities and local institutions in order to create a society where people and communities have the power and responsibility to bring about better services and outcomes in their local areas, could prove advantageous to residents of Frinton-on-Sea. Also, groups like the Residents' Association will have more of an opportunity to have their views heard when coming up against local Councils. With decision-making at the lowest possible level, TDC will have to work more collaboratively. As an a-political organisation, the Frinton Residents' Association is in a good position to represent the views of residents.

We are always happy to receive communications from Residents, whether it is to give us good news or to express your concerns. Therefore, do please email us.