A127 "Basil-wood" sign plan (From Basildon Recorder)

But council leader Tony Ball said: “The sign will be good if it makes people think ‘ah, Basildon’ when they drive past, rather than just driving through, and in no time finding themselves at Rayleigh Weir.”

what a total **** this guy is, wake up and smell the coffee will you, money to burn eh ?

Why do councils continue to waste taxpayers money on meaningless drivel like this. Basildon is what it is and has its reputation due to....yes you've guessed it the council.

"But council leader Tony Ball said: “The sign will be good if it makes people think ‘ah, Basildon’ when they drive past, rather than just driving through, and in no time finding themselves at Rayleigh Weir.” – and this is a bad thing, how? ;-) Then again, I often find myself thinking “Arrrggh! Basildon!” as well… :-P

If it does look anything like the artist's impression (which it won't) then it MIGHT work... for all of a few hours until the vandals get to it (I can see the opportunity for some Fawlty Towers-esque rearranging of the letters!) or, more likely, SOMEONE makes off with them for their scrap value.

Top marks to the council for managing to come up with something to make Basildon look even more kitsch than it already is and quoting an obscene amount of money to do so. The list of things in Basildon that this £400k could be better spent on is endless.

Well done to the Echo too, by the way, for unwittingly (‘twas ever thus) coming up with rather a catchy new name for the area. “Basilwood” has quite a ring to it…

You don't need road signs to tell you when you are passing Basildon, you can smell it. The money would be better spent doing something about the sewerage works.

The only sign in Basildon that needs changing is the one for the Festival Lesiure Park. Everyone already knows it as Bas Vegas, make it a reality!

you cant polish a turd...

you cant polish a turd...

I ASSUME THIS IS TO BE DONE AT EITHER SIDE OF BASILDUMP ON THE A127, SO THAT WOULD MEAN HAVING 16 LETTERS MADE UP ........... HOW THE F * C K DOES IT COS ALMOST HALF A MILLION POUNDS TO KNOCK UP 16 LETTERS AND CONCRETE THEM INTO THE GROUND ..... WAKE UP COUNCILLORS, OUR TOWN IS A SH*T HOLE, SPEND THE MONEY ON SOMETHING USEFUL

...Not very Patriotic Dave !!

It would be rather nice if the Council could incorporate a picture of a mobile home somewhere on the sign to remind everyone who runs the Council !!

PATRIOT-DAVE wrote:
I ASSUME THIS IS TO BE DONE AT EITHER SIDE OF BASILDUMP ON THE A127, SO THAT WOULD MEAN HAVING 16 LETTERS MADE UP ........... HOW THE F * C K DOES IT COS ALMOST HALF A MILLION POUNDS TO KNOCK UP 16 LETTERS AND CONCRETE THEM INTO THE GROUND ..... WAKE UP COUNCILLORS, OUR TOWN IS A SH*T HOLE, SPEND THE MONEY ON SOMETHING USEFUL

To be fair, I don't think the whole £400k will be spent JUST on this ridiculous sign. You'll note that the article says that it "is part of a package of measures to signpost the district better and make it easier for visitors to find their way." I take this to mean that some of the money will be spent on updating and improving normal road and directional signs as well. At least, I hope so...

Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

So much negativity :(

How about a massive sign saying "Welcome to Basildump, the home of the world famous Pikeys... please leave your caravan wherever you like"

what a waste of tax payer's money. the money could be better spent on improving the schools or even decreasing the council tax for each household!

Once again this lot decide how to waste money on something that is not needed. There seems to be a never ending pot of money when they need it and it is always empty when repairs etc are needed!

MitchLive wrote:
Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

And Rayleigh is so perfect because....?? Nope, can't think of anything. Yes, Ok, Basildon does have it's problems and the money would be better used elsewhere, but Basildon as a whole does have good points and bad ones as is the case everywhere.
I was not born nor brought up in Basildon, but I do find some of these comments offensive as I now live here. The whole place is NOT a sh**ehole.

RJD_Wiz wrote:

MitchLive wrote: Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

And Rayleigh is so perfect because....?? Nope, can't think of anything. Yes, Ok, Basildon does have it's problems and the money would be better used elsewhere, but Basildon as a whole does have good points and bad ones as is the case everywhere. I was not born nor brought up in Basildon, but I do find some of these comments offensive as I now live here. The whole place is NOT a sh**ehole.

to be fair, Rayleigh's a **** sight nicer than Basildon!

The Gentleman wrote:

PATRIOT-DAVE wrote: I ASSUME THIS IS TO BE DONE AT EITHER SIDE OF BASILDUMP ON THE A127, SO THAT WOULD MEAN HAVING 16 LETTERS MADE UP ........... HOW THE F * C K DOES IT COS ALMOST HALF A MILLION POUNDS TO KNOCK UP 16 LETTERS AND CONCRETE THEM INTO THE GROUND ..... WAKE UP COUNCILLORS, OUR TOWN IS A SH*T HOLE, SPEND THE MONEY ON SOMETHING USEFUL

To be fair, I don't think the whole £400k will be spent JUST on this ridiculous sign. You'll note that the article says that it "is part of a package of measures to signpost the district better and make it easier for visitors to find their way." I take this to mean that some of the money will be spent on updating and improving normal road and directional signs as well. At least, I hope so...

Agreed. Gentleman. Although I can't help but wonder now that eveyone knows how much will be spent & especially highlighting this particular 'Hollywood' sign, how long it will be before they are vandalised, and/or stolen.
I've got an Autopost at the end of my road that has been stolen countless times....probably for the scrap value and which the council keep replacing....all because the council will not take my advice and padlock the **** thing !!

RJD_Wiz wrote:

MitchLive wrote: Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

And Rayleigh is so perfect because....?? Nope, can't think of anything. Yes, Ok, Basildon does have it's problems and the money would be better used elsewhere, but Basildon as a whole does have good points and bad ones as is the case everywhere. I was not born nor brought up in Basildon, but I do find some of these comments offensive as I now live here. The whole place is NOT a sh**ehole.

Yeah, suppose your right, Bas-ra does have it's good points. The pikeys all flock to there as well as my sewage, so suppose not all bad. Rayleigh has a nice town, nice green parts, nice places to eat and drink without fear of being set upon. I can leave my Rav4 at the station overnight and not come back to it the next day propped up on bricks. I could go on, but I guess this text box has a limit.

DannyK86 wrote:

RJD_Wiz wrote:

MitchLive wrote: Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

And Rayleigh is so perfect because....?? Nope, can't think of anything. Yes, Ok, Basildon does have it's problems and the money would be better used elsewhere, but Basildon as a whole does have good points and bad ones as is the case everywhere. I was not born nor brought up in Basildon, but I do find some of these comments offensive as I now live here. The whole place is NOT a sh**ehole.

to be fair, Rayleigh's a **** sight nicer than Basildon!

My point is that weather you think Leigh, Rayleigh or even Mayfair is a lovely place or not it's irrelevant. There are some nice area's in Basildon as well as bad one's. I really cannot imagine anyone saying "There is absolutely nothing wrong with where I live". Tell that to the guy who had his wheels removed from his Bentley in his expensive well to do area. Criminals, travellers, murder, drugs...they're everywhere..

MitchLive wrote:

RJD_Wiz wrote:

MitchLive wrote: Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

And Rayleigh is so perfect because....?? Nope, can't think of anything. Yes, Ok, Basildon does have it's problems and the money would be better used elsewhere, but Basildon as a whole does have good points and bad ones as is the case everywhere. I was not born nor brought up in Basildon, but I do find some of these comments offensive as I now live here. The whole place is NOT a sh**ehole.

Yeah, suppose your right, Bas-ra does have it's good points. The pikeys all flock to there as well as my sewage, so suppose not all bad. Rayleigh has a nice town, nice green parts, nice places to eat and drink without fear of being set upon. I can leave my Rav4 at the station overnight and not come back to it the next day propped up on bricks. I could go on, but I guess this text box has a limit.

Yes...It does have a nice town...?
http://www.echo-news
.co.uk/news/local_ne
ws/rayleigh/4509869.
Police_target_purse_
thieves/

RJD_Wiz wrote:

MitchLive wrote:

RJD_Wiz wrote:

MitchLive wrote: Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

And Rayleigh is so perfect because....?? Nope, can't think of anything. Yes, Ok, Basildon does have it's problems and the money would be better used elsewhere, but Basildon as a whole does have good points and bad ones as is the case everywhere. I was not born nor brought up in Basildon, but I do find some of these comments offensive as I now live here. The whole place is NOT a sh**ehole.

Yeah, suppose your right, Bas-ra does have it's good points. The pikeys all flock to there as well as my sewage, so suppose not all bad. Rayleigh has a nice town, nice green parts, nice places to eat and drink without fear of being set upon. I can leave my Rav4 at the station overnight and not come back to it the next day propped up on bricks. I could go on, but I guess this text box has a limit.

Yes...It does have a nice town...? http://www.echo-news .co.uk/news/local_ne ws/rayleigh/4509869. Police_target_purse_ thieves/

Oooooh purse thieves quaking in my boots! RJD you will soon get bored of defending Basilon. I was born there until my parents saved enough money to move! The only time I think of Basildon is when I get that awful stench driving past it to get to my nice town. Perhaps you could find a story so that Leigh can join rayleigh in your estimation as the new crime capital's of Essex. Ha ha ha loving this thread, spend the money on policing you numbnuts.

So go on then RJD.. where are the nice areas of Basildump?

Felmores? Craylands?
Sommercoats?
Bas Vegas?

What good points are their to Basildon? am struggling to think, apart from maybe the roads out of it!!!

streaky wrote:
So go on then RJD.. where are the nice areas of Basildump? Felmores? Craylands? Sommercoats? Bas Vegas?

Langdon Hills, I suppose. Although people there like to pretend they're separate.

Is it April 1st?

You cannot really defend basildon and the surrounding area's it is a stain on Essex, The people that live there are just as bad as the place itself. Even the "So called" nice parts are just nice houses in a dump. I'd like to think of it as butterflys landing on a turd....! Best thing for it is to keep the sign so hopefully all the illigal immigrants will stop there on their way to where i live. Good one

just how many councillors have had a frontal labotomy? basildon is bas dump and home to travelers, adding wood, is to what purpose?

BigDikShoebury wrote:
You cannot really defend basildon and the surrounding area's it is a stain on Essex, The people that live there are just as bad as the place itself. Even the "So called" nice parts are just nice houses in a dump. I'd like to think of it as butterflys landing on a turd....! Best thing for it is to keep the sign so hopefully all the illigal immigrants will stop there on their way to where i live. Good one

Just a minute sir, you go too far.

It is true that £400k, even spent properly, wouldn't do much to bring Basildon up to an ideal standard, but I draw the line at being tarred with such a broad brush as the one you have used.

It is very mean-spirited to make such a sweeping statement, I think. Yes, Basildon could be vastly improved and I (and many others too, I fancy) would like to see it so. It is easy to put a place down, far more difficult to actually do something to make a positive difference. There is a large degree of apathy towards Basildon and indeed south-east Essex as a whole, even from some of its residents, of which I am one. Granted, you could argue that it has brought it on itself and that some of the people here do not help matters; that it is too far beyond saving; that it simply reflects a far greater malaise affecting the whole country, but I truly believe that even the most insalubrious of places can, with enough time, money and effort be turned into an area that the locals, and those further afield, can be rightly proud of. I was born on Canvey (which also seems to get its fair share of stick) and have lived in this area for almost 15 years. I believe it was the Duke of Wellington who said: “Being born in a stable does not make one a horse.” I aspire to be better than the surroundings into which I was born (and if that makes me a snob, so be it) but I can still honestly say I would dearly love to see Basildon pick itself out of the gutter and be improved beyond recognition. Spending £400k on a tacky Hollywood-style sign is not the way to do it, though. Until we all stand up for a better, finer Basildon, unless we and our elected representatives are prepared to do what is necessary to attain such a place we will be lumbered with the town we deserve, rather than the town I am sure most people here want.

Brilliant idea! Great sign! Just missing the bit "You are now leaving".

I despise Basildon with a passion. If I didn't work there, I'd give the place a wide berth.

The Gentleman wrote:

BigDikShoebury wrote: You cannot really defend basildon and the surrounding area's it is a stain on Essex, The people that live there are just as bad as the place itself. Even the "So called" nice parts are just nice houses in a dump. I'd like to think of it as butterflys landing on a turd....! Best thing for it is to keep the sign so hopefully all the illigal immigrants will stop there on their way to where i live. Good one

Just a minute sir, you go too far. It is true that £400k, even spent properly, wouldn't do much to bring Basildon up to an ideal standard, but I draw the line at being tarred with such a broad brush as the one you have used. It is very mean-spirited to make such a sweeping statement, I think. Yes, Basildon could be vastly improved and I (and many others too, I fancy) would like to see it so. It is easy to put a place down, far more difficult to actually do something to make a positive difference. There is a large degree of apathy towards Basildon and indeed south-east Essex as a whole, even from some of its residents, of which I am one. Granted, you could argue that it has brought it on itself and that some of the people here do not help matters; that it is too far beyond saving; that it simply reflects a far greater malaise affecting the whole country, but I truly believe that even the most insalubrious of places can, with enough time, money and effort be turned into an area that the locals, and those further afield, can be rightly proud of. I was born on Canvey (which also seems to get its fair share of stick) and have lived in this area for almost 15 years. I believe it was the Duke of Wellington who said: “Being born in a stable does not make one a horse.” I aspire to be better than the surroundings into which I was born (and if that makes me a snob, so be it) but I can still honestly say I would dearly love to see Basildon pick itself out of the gutter and be improved beyond recognition. Spending £400k on a tacky Hollywood-style sign is not the way to do it, though. Until we all stand up for a better, finer Basildon, unless we and our elected representatives are prepared to do what is necessary to attain such a place we will be lumbered with the town we deserve, rather than the town I am sure most people here want.

Well said Gentleman. I agree completely. It's not a case of living & dying for Basildon, I just simply feel exactly the same as you. I was brought up in a well to do area of Benfleet, courtesy of my parents, so it's not like I have an allegence to Basildon. I was very proud to say I was from Essex Company while serving in the forces regardless of being from Basildon or not.
I too, was annoyed at being branded with the same brush.

MitchLive wrote:

RJD_Wiz wrote:

MitchLive wrote: Bit annoying as I wanted to leave some comments this mornign but didn't have the time, so a lot of what I wanted to say has already been said. Such as you know when your at Basildon cause of the stench. People only want to go to Basildon cause of the F.L.P. Most of the signs will be either nicked or damaged. Perhaps most of them should say 'Welcome to Bas-ra, please drive safely and lock your car doors' and lastely the only sign I would want to see if 'Your now leaving Bas-ra, breath a sigh of relieve'.

And Rayleigh is so perfect because....?? Nope, can't think of anything. Yes, Ok, Basildon does have it's problems and the money would be better used elsewhere, but Basildon as a whole does have good points and bad ones as is the case everywhere. I was not born nor brought up in Basildon, but I do find some of these comments offensive as I now live here. The whole place is NOT a sh**ehole.

Yeah, suppose your right, Bas-ra does have it's good points. The pikeys all flock to there as well as my sewage, so suppose not all bad. Rayleigh has a nice town, nice green parts, nice places to eat and drink without fear of being set upon. I can leave my Rav4 at the station overnight and not come back to it the next day propped up on bricks. I could go on, but I guess this text box has a limit.

Your sewage stays very much in Rayliegh. Depending on where you live in Rayleigh it will go to one of 2 sites. Both very far away from Basildon. Interestingly one of these sites discharges into the water course in one of the lovely "green parts" you speak so highly of. Enjoy!

Mitchlive, Rayleigh: Your High Street ain't all that on a Friday/Saturday night! Have you got teenage daughters? Maybe they're wandering around Rayleigh streets with curtain pelmets for skirts. No different to Basildon ''ladies''! Anyway, back to the point - what a complete and utter waste of money!!

The article has certainly put BASILDON or is it BASILWOOD on the map.

better to spend the money on napalm, and before anyone comments, each area takes the P out of each other, heres mine haha. but serious, what a waste of money, some councillor will earn out of this

The better idea would be to remove all the signs indicating Basildon.

Then we can forget it exists.

Then Hamlet Court Road (AREA)

Followed up be Canvey.

Then we could all pretend there is nothing wrong with Essex.

Best thing to do is drive straight through to Rayleigh Wier, and miss Basildump altogether!!

But council leader Tony Ball said: “The sign will be good if it makes people think ‘arggggh, Basildon’ when they drive past, rather than just driving through, and in no time finding themselves at Rayleigh Weir.

Is this idea actually serious?

So they can't afford (i think it was mentioned a while ago) £300,000 to straighten out the dangerous Fortune of War junction - but they can throw £400,000 at some pretty signs and flowers?

For crying out loud, when will these people wake up!

It reminds me of the time that the council decided to put up signs, stating that Basildon was a

"Nuclear Free Zone"

BASILDON COUNCIL TAKE NOTE.......Someone can do RIGHT....
Does this sound like some sense ??????????



A maverick mayor elected after promising to slash council spending, clear the streets of yobs and ditch politically correct services is the torch-bearer for how towns should be run.

On his first morning as Mayor of Doncaster in South Yorkshire , Peter Davies cut his salary from £73,000 to £30,000 then closed the council’s newspaper for "peddling politics on the rates".
Now three weeks into his job, Mr Davies is pressing ahead with plans he hopes will see the number of town councillors cut from 63 to just 21, saving taxpayers £800,000.
Mr Davies said: "If 100 senators can run the United States of America , I can’t see how 63 councillors are needed to run Doncaster ".

He has withdrawn Doncaster from the Local Government Association and the Local Government Information Unit, saving another £200,000. Mr Davies said, "They are just talking shops".
" Doncaster is in for some serious untwinning. We are twinned with probably nine other cities around the world and they are just for people to fly off and have a binge at the council’s expense".

The mayor’s chauffeur-driven car has also been axed by Mr Davies and the driver given another job. Mr Davies, born and bred in Doncaster, swept to power in the May election with 24,244 votes as a candidate for the English Democrats, a party that wants tight immigration curbs, an English Parliament and a law forcing every public building to fly the flag of St. George.

He has promised to end council funding for Doncaster ’s International Women’s Day, Black History Month and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month.
He said, "Politicians have got completely out of touch with what people want.
"We need to cut costs. I want to pass on some savings I make in reduced taxes and use the rest for things we really need, like improved children’s services".
Mr Davies has received messages from well wishers across the country and abroad as news of his no-nonsense approach spreads.
Now it’s your chance to spread this most sensible way to run a town council.

SIR I APPLAUD YOU

BigDikShoebury

I guess this is more your type of scene in Shoebury is it?

http://www.echo-news
.co.uk/news/4509925.
Worker_dowloaded_chi
ld_porn_on_employer_
s_laptop/

Yeah thought so.

i work in basildon,and that thing wont last 5 mins,what a waste of money

All this in the wake of "We're doing our BEST to keep Basfest free" bulls@?t.

If you've got 400k spare, invest some of it in the areas sad arts scene. Invest it in culture.
This is ridiculous, I've already spent half my life telling strangers "No Basildon is not the place with the concrete cows" Although I havent checked in the council offices I must admit.
Oh sod it.. I'm off to the Frowngate to watch a tribute band!