AFTER several days of increasing comment from the public about the way Thurrock Council housing department employees and contracters appear to have been going about their business 'as normal' the council has announced this evening (Saturday, 11 April) that it has immediately suspended all routine maintenance repairs.

Residents have reported incidents where they have been 'cold-called' by council staff carrying out routine inspections and last week Thurrock Nub News reported there was a furore about inspections of water supplies in South Ockendon.

It would appear that the message about public concern has finally got through as the council has placed a message on social media saying: "To increase opportunities for our workers to follow social distancing, all routine housing repairs and maintenance have been suspended.

Emergency and make safe repairs will continue as normal."

Anyone who has issues regarding a possible emergency repair is referred to the council's online service.

Meanwhile in Chadwell St Mary there has been a huge amount of comment about council workers involved in the preparation works for the proposed conversion or demolition of a large house for five smaller homes.

Aside from the fact that there is a chronic housing shortage of larger properties and a campaign has started to stop the project, concern has been expressed about significant breaches of the council's own social distance policies as workers have been carrying out their tasks in close proximity of each other.

Thurrock Nub News has asked the council about the project, but has had no response.