THE newest member of Brentwood Borough Council has pledged to do everything she can to improve the lives of people living in Shenfield.
Liz Cohen, a 41-year-old campaigner from Worrin Road, said she was thrilled to have been chosen to join fellow Shenfield ward member Graeme Clark on the Lib Dem benches after beating Tory Stephen May at the December 6 by-election.
Mum of two Liz, who has lived in Shenfield for 25 years, is known by many for her campaigning to improve the safety of the crossing near St Mary's Primary School at Tabor's Corner.
But she said that Crossrail, parking and speeding have also proved hot topics that residents wanted to see addressed.
Liz, who lives with husband Ricky and her two sons, eight and 12, said she learnt a lot about solving problems while working as a holiday rep in Cyprus.
Liz, who will take her seat in the council chamber tomorrow, said: "First of all I just want to thank all the people who helped and supported me and put their trust in me and believed in me.
"From the start I have never said that we would be able to fix everything in Shenfield, but we have the power to listen and to try to help.
"If someone has an issue, I promise never not to turn up and never not try to deal with it. I know how frustrating issues can be for residents.
"I think the Conservatives sat in Shenfield too comfortably.
"They never thought there was ever any need to do anything for Shenfield, but when you start to ask people and spend some time with people on the street, that is when the problems came out.
She added: "The Lib Dems stuck by me when I was campaign for the Tabor crossing and so it seemed natural for me to join them to help them in their work."
