What the south and north of Essex think about each other

The north and south divide doesn’t just apply to the UK as a whole – it applies to Essex too. The most northern and southern areas of Essex are just shy of 50 miles apart.

Driving from Canvey Island in the south to the village of Hadstock in the north, would take around one hour and 20 minutes in good traffic. While the areas are not a million miles apart, people who live either side of Chelmsford ^[1], the middle ground, have strong opinions on each other.

Whether it’s their lifestyle choices, fashion, or simple things like travel delays, the north has an opinion on the south and vice versa. Essex is a large county with lots of urban towns and villages, and in some cases residents may not venture to the other side often.

Unless you’ve got a particular place to be – Lakeside or Colchester Zoo – there might not be a reason to begin the epic journey from one side to the other. Journalists from the EssexLive ^[3] newsroom, who live at opposite ends of the county, have compiled a list of misconceptions people may have of locals living in the south or the north.

Here’s 10 things the south think of the north:

A view of the traffic flow at the Dartford crossing (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

1. They moan about the A12 A LOT

Yes, the A12 can be a pain and when it shuts the entire road network feels like it’s been closed down, but we have the A127 and the A13 which can be just as bad.

2. They have problems with trains all the time

Greater Anglia lines seem to be delayed more often than the c2c services in the south.

3. They don’t know just how bad the Dartford Crossing is

The A12 is nothing in comparison to the Dartford Crossing ^[4] – it’s a lot worse than it seems.

Northerners don’t understand just how many hours we spend stuck in traffic because of a crash or lane closure at the Dartford Crossing.

When the Dartford Crossing is standstill so is most of Thurrock.

Even though residents from all over the county – and beyond – use the crossing, it’s the local roads that suffer the most.

4. They have more of an Essex accent

We have more of a ‘London Essex’ accent, whereas more people in the north seem to have adopted a strong Essex accent.

5. Everyone who lives north of Chelmsford is a country bumpkin farmer

There is just something about north Essex that makes me think of tweed jackets and old Land Rover Defenders.

6. They flock to our lovely Southend beaches

Hundreds flocked to Southend beach for the Bank Holiday (Image: Ricci Fothergill)

And why wouldn’t they? We clearly have the best beaches.

Southend attracts crowds from across the country, so for the sake of an hour drive to enjoy the best fish and chips and Rossi ice cream it’s a no-brainer.

7. Apart from Braintree Village and Colchester Zoo there’s nothing to do

Braintree Village, formerly known as Freeport

It’s true – we have Lakeside, some great coastlines and some great places to go out-out.

From Unit 7 in Basildon to Sugarhut in Brentwood and PopWorld in Chelmsford the night life is better in the south.

8. The homes are nicer and bigger in the north

While we have some incredible properties in most towns and villages, Thurrock, Basildon and Southend are highly populated areas which means more estates, developments and flats.

9. And so are their cars

If you live near a school in Chelmsford or Brentwood ^[5] you are guaranteed to see an influx in the number of 4×4 vehicles parked on pavements and on the roads.

Also if you go to the supermarket you will need to always leave plenty of space to get out your car because the chances are a huge Range Rover will park next to you and block you in.

10. They must have cleaner air

Just because we live closer to the coast doesn’t mean our air is cleaner.

The air in Thurrock has a reputation, with a dark, finely-milled substance, imitating dust, has been claimed to be invading homes here for years and affecting people’s health.

The country air must be less polluted than ours.

Here’s 10 things the north think of the south:

An aerial view from the top floor at Lakeside

1. Everything and everyone seems to be influenced by TOWIE

Chelmsford, Brentwood, Billericay, Chigwell and Loughton have all featured on the reality show and you can tell the people there are generally more ‘Essex’ than us.

2. Everyone works or knows someone who works at Lakeside

In the south there is no shortage of retail jobs!

Lakeside is Essex’s biggest shopping centre so I guess it’s not surprising.

But it seems like everyone and their dog from the south works there or at least has or knows someone who works here.

3. Everyone from south thinks they are from London

If you are from Essex… you are from Essex – be proud of it! Don’t pretend to be someone you are not.

So many people act like they are from London and you can tell when they have an east London twang in their accent.

4. They have no countryside

We have pockets of beautiful open, untouched countryside around Witham, Coggeshall and Halstead just to name a few areas.

The towns and villages in the south seem to be very built up and urbanised.

5. Their beaches are overrun by tourists

Southend-on-Sea Beach on June 22 (Image: Wayne Starr/Daily Star)

Our beaches are largely untouched and while Walton On the Naze and Frinton-on-Sea are popular they are nowhere near as crowded as Clacton and Southend.

Seaside towns in the south are very ‘city-like’ in order to attract the tourists and make as much money for the local economy as possible. There is nothing wrong with that, as people drive hundreds of miles to visit, but it’s very busy on a hot summer’s day.

While southern beaches may have more attractions, the north have breath-taking views and super sandy beaches.

6. They don’t have as many places of historical interest

While the south have places like Tilbury Docks and Hadleigh Castle, we have Colchester – Britain’s oldest town.

Colchester ^[6] has a colourful history dating back over two thousand years.

From the ruins of the country’s oldest church to the winding streets of the Dutch Quarter where Twinkle Twinkle Little Star was written, the town oozes history.

7. Or places as ‘Instagrammable’ as Dedham

Dedham ranked 11th most hashtagged village in Britain, according to Property website Bankrate.^[7]

It is one of the most popular tourist areas in the Colchester borough and attracts thousands of visitors every year.

There’s plenty to do, from boat trips on the River Stour on offer, award-winning pub The Sun Inn as well as the Marlborough Head and a number of gift shops and cafes.

8. They don’t appreciate the facilities they have

Uber operates in a number or towns and cities across the UK like Brentwood.

Many places in north Essex don’t have that luxury.

9. You can’t go anywhere in the south without being stuck in traffic

The A13, A127 and the Dartford Crossing are all roads we do not envy.

10. But our roads are narrower, windier and windier

Having said that our country roads can be just as dangerous.

References

^{^} Chelmsford (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} Man opens sweet shop with ‘the biggest pick ‘n’ mix selection in Essex’ (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} EssexLive (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} Dartford Crossing (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} Brentwood (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} Colchester (www.essexlive.news)
^{^} Bankrate. (www.bankrate.com)