A CONSERVATIVE councillor has backed a petition trying to force Thurrock Council's hand to make improvements to pavements in Chadwell St Mary – just a couple of days after his administration told other local campaigners it didn't recognise the online petition network Change,org.

The irony of Cllr Adam Carter's action in the wake of the controversy over the council's stance on petitions has not been lost on some Chadwell St Mary residents who have previously accused Cllr Carter of opportunism and shallow acts in a bid to win local recognition.

However, it is hoped that the petition to get improvements to path on Lever Square that leads on to Lytton Road will force change to happen sooner than later.

Cllr Carter has said he is backing the petition because he has been told that improvements won't happen next year.

The petition, which can be found here was launched after a resident tripped and required hospital treatment. The incident was so serious that the air ambulance was called to attend to her.