The Essex town locals say is heading downhill and too often overlooked

Locals of an Essex commuter town have given it mixed reviews saying other places nearby are much nicer but the people are the best. Wickford, just 30 miles east of London, has direct trains into the city, making it ideal for those working in the capital, but for many living here, they wish it was better looked after and that the town wasn't overlooked compared to its neighbours.

Speaking to EssexLive in Wickford's high street, one resident said he wished the government and local people would respect the town more. He said: “We are the poor neighbours. Basildon and Billericay get all of the money, and we get nothing. The borough is turning into a dirty place. There’s litter everywhere, fly-tipping everywhere, and nothing gets fixed. Potholes everywhere too.

“People have no pride in themselves, and that represents that they have no pride in their town. It’s like a 300-year oak tree. It takes 20 minutes to cut it down, and you can’t get it back.”

READ MORE: The Essex town that 'has it all' with links to Churchill and major celebs

READ MORE: The Wagon Boulangerie: 'I tried Essex town's top café and had the best crepes I've ever eaten'

Kim Bennett, 66, moved from Rainham into Wickford ten years ago. He said he would not be able to afford a place in the town now. “The main town centre for people of Wickford is Basildon,” he told EssexLive, adding that even though he’d have to travel out to a neighbouring town for shops, he has everything else that he needs in Wickford and that it was “quiet and peaceful.”

Another resident agreed saying that Wickford has limited choices of shops in the area. She said: “It’s all right if you want to nip out and get a bunch of flowers, but anything more than that, you can’t. If you want a pair of jeans, there are only two options in the high street. We need more options for everything.”

To her, Wickford has a Marmite reaction from those who live in the area, saying: “Wickford is like autumn. Some people love it, some people hate it, but it’s ok for now.”

in the high street we also met, Travis Castor, 32, who no longer lives in Wickford. He said the town needs more social spaces, but he would consider moving back into the town despite going to a neighbouring village. “If I could move back to Wickford, I would. It’s a really nice area to live,” he said.

He added: “Not much crime in Wickford, it’s always been safe here.”

Another local said that the best part about Wickford was the people and the community spirit. She said: “The people here are lovely, Wickford in Bloom was brilliant. In the summer the volunteers put all of the baskets out. It’s the best ever. They put a lot of time and work into it.”

However, she worried about the cost of living in the town, saying her daughter had to pay to park to drop the children off at school, amongst other expenses that residents in neighbouring towns do not have.

READ MORE: Can you guess these Essex places from their emoji clues?