DESPITE an apparent lack of communication between government and council officers, a leading Thurrock councillor has spoken bullishly about plans to improve transport infrastructure in the borough on the back of an emergency funding grant of almost £1.5 million.

On Monday Thurrock Nub News reported on transport minister Grant Shapps' pledge to keep improving local transport options – and pledged further investment into railways.

Thurrock will get £1,438,000 – which has come of something of a surprise to borough council officials who say they had no dialogue with government before the statement and do not know what it entails – but transport portfolio holder Cllr Ben Maney says it is a welcome one.

In the wake of our story Cllr Maney says officers at the council have been in touch with the Department of Transport today (Wednesday, 27 May) to establish what help is coming and when.

He added: "We are obviously aware of the announcements from Government and the highways / transport development teams are developing a programme of works in anticipation of a formal announcement.

"Naturally it is too early to say what specific projects could be funded and where, but improving facilities around schools and bus stops / stations are examples of what we are looking at. Personally, I am keen to look at facilities at train stations too; again, what we can do is largely dependent on what we receive.

"We are also looking at how we can use any funding to increase / support bus services. We have already done some work earlier this year looking at how DfT monies can be used to support withdrawn services, if any extra allocation could compliment this that would be a welcome development in my view."