THE Aveley and Kenningtons Community Forum public meeting held on Tuesday, 19 November at Aveley Football Stadium was attended by more than 75 attendees.

The meeting started with a visual presentation of the new £2.2 million Aveley Hub currently under construction in the Aveley Recreation Ground.

This was followed by a verbal presentation about the Aveley Hub by some members of the Aveley Hub Steering Committee – Natalie Warren of Thurrock Council, Kristina Jackson of Thurrock CVS and Jacqui Payne of ngage.

A question and answer session followed where questions were raised about the hub facilities, its potential management, and how it will be funded.

The new (yet to be constructed) car park in the Aveley Recreation Ground was also at the heart of conversation at the meeting.

Various Residents raised the issue of parking in the village and previous conversations based around the new car park in time being "exclusive"for just Hub users.

This was met with clear objections from some of the residents of the meeting who recognise that there is not enough public parking in Aveley.

It was also recognised that the Hub is currently under construction on what was previously two tennis courts and in most recent years a public car park for some 40 plus vehicles.

One Resident suggested in time if the new public car park was not enough that perhaps an extension to the car park in the Aveley Recreation Ground could be agreed.

Another resident argued that we should be saving the open green park space for the Children to play and perhaps a more suitable additional option would be the existing library site once the Library relocate to the new hub.

It was clear from most residents at the meeting that "Exclusive Hub" parking would not be acceptable.

The Forum advised they would be happy to challenge this in the future if this was the will of residents.

A resident also raised the poor condition of the path directly around the hub.

A motorised wheelchair user herself, she said it was very difficult to navigate this path and it was reported that other wheelchair users had in the past found the path near impossible to navigate.

A forum committee member advised this had been raised sometime ago and the response from a Thurrock Council Officer was that there was not a problem for wheelchair users.

The Forum will continue to monitor this situation and another pathway on the Hub boundary which has a large pot hole which has been present since earlier this year.

A resident and forum member raised the question, 'if the cost of the hub is £2.2m why was a debate raging about the cost of repairs to the paths which is probably two to three thousand pounds?'

The meeting continued with details regarding the Thurrock Football Stadium "PDI Centre" planning Application in Ship Lane where it was again clear that most Residents in attendance did not welcome this application. This was evident from almost fifty letters of objection being signed by residents.

The meeting was attended by local Neighbourhood Police Officer PC Neil Brand who was made an Honorary Member of the Forum and thanked for his continued support.

It was recognised that PC Neil Brand attended every Forum meeting since its inception and event changed his days off and shift to attend the Forum meetings which was very much appreciated.

The Aveley and Kenningtons Community Forum have thanked everyone who attended the meeting and would also like to advise their next meeting which is their AGM is on Tuesday 21st January 2020 at The Aveley Football Club, 7.30 PM.

Anyone wishing to express an interest in joining the Forum Committee are invited to email the Forum at [email protected] Any questions or queries can also be raised via the same email.