Until you get caught then they can be really expensive.

It’s an old town which was selected for London Expansion overspill, so a lot of 1960s and 1970s housing estates around the edges. The centre of the town hasn’t changed since the 1970s and it just looks like it can’t support the population it has. No cinema, small library. I suspect most people head off to Colchester or Chelmsford for such things. I’ve known it since the 1970s when my grandma moved there. It’s just an odd place.

One of the most dangerous stretches of the A12 runs through Witham.

I lived in Witham for a very short time back in 07, your description is highly accurate.

However I wouldn't consider it an odd place as there are similar towns around the country.