AFTER several days of inaction and a lack of response, Thurrock Council has now pledged to act to stop the extraction of material from land adjacent to Biggin Lane between Tilbury and Chadwell St Mary.

And they say they will be seeking ways to restore the site to its former natural habitat.

Over recent days Thurrock Nub News has reported extensively on the degradation of the site, which is privately owned but does not have any permissions for excavation.

The digging has seen the destruction of slopes and a nesting area used by sandmartins, ripped up trees and bushes and caused noise problems and disruption for residents in the immediate vicinity.

On Sunday a digger brought down a power cable, bringing a power cut to 614 homes in the area.

Thurrock Nub News has contacted Thurrock Council several times regarding the digging, which is a repetition of smaller scale previous excavations over recent years ago which appear to have been ignored the council's enforcement teams, even though one officer confirmed to residents that the work was a breach of planning and environmental laws. We have had no response.

This time the public outcry, including demands from local councillors for action, has been so strong the council has been forced to get involved.

One of those councillors who has been at the forefront of protest is Cllr John Allen who represents the Tilbury St Chads ward.

He has now received a message from the council saying they are going to act.

It says: "The planning team are preparing temporary stop notices (TSN) which will be issued as soon as practically possible. In addition the team are investigating what needs to be done to remediate the works already carried out.

"The council's legal team will be working with the planning team to ensure a swift positive outcome.

"I appreciate that this matter is of serious concern to local residents and will ensure that those who have shown an interest in this case are updated and notified once the TSN has been served."

Cllr Allen is not the only councillor who has taken up the cudgel with officers, Chadwell St Mary councillor Gerard Rice has also demanded prompt and immediate action and other councillors are believed to have raised the issue.

Many residents have complained to the council – though many say they received no acknowledgement.

It seems the repeated intervention and pressure of Thurrock Nub News may have been the tipping point for action. Though we have had no acknowledgement, the damning evidence was supplied in the form of pictures and film of the digging taking place and the resultant damage wreaked.

Cllr Allen said he was pleased to see a positive response from officers at the council and added: "I can only hope that the investigation will be swift and of a thorough nature ensuring the protection of this open space, stopping any further damage especially to the habitat of nesting birds."

And he was fulsome in his praise of Thurrock Nub News, adding: "Thank you to the vigilance and persistence of Thurrock Nub News for raising this matter and pressing the council. This shows the value of a responsible local press representing a local community. I am sure editor Neil Speight will be watching to make sure Thurrock Council follow up on this and deliver action – not just words."

Mr Speight said: "I am delighted to hear that the council is to take action, the shame is it has taken so long and so much damage has been done. It could have been taken a lot earlier but we got there in the end – or at least I hope we have.

"I am also pleased to see the council are taking about reparation. It will be no easy task to restore the area but it can be done – it has been done elsewhere and even if the nesting area can't be replaced, the ability to create an artificial one exists.

"This should all be done at this landowner's expense and I expect to see prosecution – or at the very least a public legal agreement that this will be put right.

"I understand National Power Networks are considering their own action – and a possible reference to the health and safety regulators after Sunday's power cut.

"And we are pressing Essex Police for their response. They have a wildlife unit that should be all over this as it appears to be a clear breach of the law. I am told they only have one wildlife officer for the whole of the county – well that's shocking, but if it's true I hope this investigation is at the top of his or her list. I am awaiting a response from Essex police about their course of action in response to residents' complaints.

"All in all though, this could be a good day. Let's hope the council doesn't prevaricate and the digging can be stopped immediately."

National Power networks have confirmed details of Sunday's outage and have called on residents to be vigilant.

A statement from them says: "Third party damage to an overhead line interrupted power to 614 customers in Chadwell St Mary at 7.13am on Sunday. UK Power Networks engineers worked quickly and safely to restore power in stages, most by 7.52am and the final nine by 2.58pm.

"Coming into contact with high voltage power lines can be very dangerous, even fatal, so anyone operating high machinery or vehicles should look up and look out for power lines, and stay away from such equipment.

"The safety of the public and our staff is always our number one priority.

"Our dedicated safety team are happy to advise companies and organisations about working safely around the electricity network. For downloadable safety leaflets, to watch our safety animations and request cab stickers that remind all staff operating machinery to look out for overhead electricity wires and check for underground cables before starting work, people can visit our website.

"If you see a damaged or downed power line stay well away, keep others away and call us on 105 for help."

Thurrock Nub News has again asked Thurrock Council for a comment on the situation, particularly why it did not act when this was first reported so environmental damage could have been prevented. And we have asked for details of what reparation works it hopes to put in place.