THURROCK Council says residents who live near the Manorway in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham may soon get their wishes granted with the road being given a new, quieter surface.

The road, over which hundreds, if not thousands of lorries, pass daily en-route to and from the DP World London Gateway port and the fuel and energy terminals still located on sites that were previously occupied by two large oil refineries, has been a huge local talking point as its surface has degraded.

Residents living nearby have spoken of the huge impact the road noise is having on their lives and expressed concern that Thurrock Council was reneging on its responsibilities to ensure the surface was renewed.

However, the council has responded to a question from Thurrock Nub News today (Wednesday, 21 March) and says that work will begin to improve the quality of the road later this year.

A statement from the council says: "Thurrock Council and DP World London Gateway are working together on a major project to improve The Manorway, Stanford-le-Hope, to make the road quieter for use by HGVs.

"Works will involve repairing and replacing areas of the substructure of the road before a new noise reducing surface layer is added to help dampen the noise of lorries.

"Replacement of the top layer comes as part of a Section 106 planning agreement from London Gateway. During these works the council has recommended the renewal and improvement of failing areas of substructure of the road to ensure that the new quiet surface layer will be as effective and hard-wearing as possible.

"The scheme, which will improve approximately 2.5km of road, is set to start later this spring. By working together in this way, Thurrock Council and DP World London Gateway can help to minimise disruption caused by the roadworks."