THERE is mounting anger and concern from residents about Thurrock Council's management of the six tower blocks in south Grays.

It was announced in early 2020 that work at Davall House, Butler House, Greenwood House, Lionel Oxley House, Arthur Toft House and George Crooks House would begin on a project to replace all the blocks' windows and install new cladding.

The project has been a succession of blunders and almost three years later there is no definitive timeline for work to be completed.

Among the mistakes was the failed measuring for new windows, meaning the suspension of works and reordering of new replacement windows at a substantial, but as yet undisclosed, cost. Nub News understands that a legal battle is continuing between the council and contractors Axis about whose fault the mistake was – but the authority has remained tight-lipped and secretive about the project.

There have been frequent complaints about the performance of the contactors and the state and safety of the work being undertaken - highlighted in May 2021 when part of the scaffolding at Davall House was dislodged by high winds and came crashing down on parked cars and the entrance hall to the block.

In January this year Thurrock Nub News again quizzed the council over the south Grays Tower blocks project - which accoring to its published records had cost the council more than £14 million by that time - asking for a breakldown of costs.

Nub News editor Neil Speight asked:

"Axis were paid £14,237,415.30 to carry out the work on the six blocks in South Grays.

"The contract appeared to end in October but clearly Axis are still on the scene and scaffolding is in place on all the blocks.

"I would like to make a formal request to know what the entire cost of the project was for the Greenwood, Davall, Butler, Oxley, Crooks and Toft blocks. Given the problems with all the mismeasurements and the huge delay over the lifetime of the as-yet-unfinished work, it would seem likely the cost is going to be a lot more than the £14,237,000."

The council declined to answer saying: "We cannot share cost breakdowns of specific projects as this information is commercially sensitive."

Neither residents nor local councillors have been kept abreast of developments.

Meanwhile scaffolding and equipment remain in place at the blocks, prompting more complaints from residents about the inconvenience they cause, and the poor living conditions faced by occupants of the flats on a daily basis.

They have also raised issues of security – a message significantly highlighted on Friday when a man died in George Crooks House after raiders entered the flat he was in via scaffolding.

Residents are pointing the finger of blame for the continued problems they have to overcome and live through clearly at Thurrock Council.

Social media including residents' pages, has been a sounding board for those concerns.

Among the many issues raised one resident says: "Axis informed Thurrock Council there was a potential risk and asked for CCTV system put in place. Over a year ago!

"Thurrock declined. Thurrock also have not let works continue due to ongoing issues with money.

"Tenants ask for an answer to no avail. This whole situation has been brought on by the negligence of people who are here to help us.

"We now live in fear of what will happen next! There are incidents happening all around us but now there are people who are carrying knives, acid and targeting the vulnerable.

"If you cannot finish the job, be removed from the situation.

"At least we might be safe again!"

Cllr Martin Kerin.

Ward councillor Martin Kerin says he has been seeking answers without response for some time.

He told Thurrock Nub News: "The situation for my residents living in the six tower blocks is becoming increasingly unbearable.

"The scaffolding is a magnet for anti-social behaviour and with the lack of information coming from Thurrock Council, many in the community cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"The fear and uncertainty has been compounded by the awful incident at George Crooks House, whereby the scaffolding was used to gain illegal entry to the block.

"My residents need to know what is happening, and how long they will have to live with the delays to their blocks being refurbished.

"The lack of answers from Thurrock Council is frustrating and unacceptable. The local community deserve so much better."

The reluctance to Thurrock Council to engage with problems at the blocks was highlighted at the height of Friday's fatal incident.

With the area full of police and public speculation at its height and a number of varying rumours and questions being aired including issues of access adjacent blocks and use of the lifts in all tower block buildings in south Grays, Thurrock Nub News approached the council and enquired if it had a message for tenants, many of whom were displaced or worried about what was happening.

We asked: "I am sure Thurrock Council is aware of the situation at George Crooks House which is impacting significantly on residents.

"Is there a statement from the council please?

"An urgent response would be appreciated as this is an ongoing situation and there is a lot of social media speculation."

Four hours later the council responded by saying: "Thurrock Council is aware that there has been an incident in New Road, Grays. The council is cooperating with Essex Police as they carry out their enquiries.

"Any further media enquiries should be made to Essex Police."

Despite Nub News pointing out to the council's communication team that the authority has a duty of care to its tenants and residents which includes sharing important information, the council has not responded further.