THURROCK Council has arranged two new rural drop-off points where residents can leave their domestic waste as they battle the effects of the current industrial action by waste collection crews – and immediately got an earful from an angry local councillor.

However, there were words of praise from another elected representative over one of the sites though it appears she has let the cat out of the proverbial rubbish bag as it's not yet been officially announced on the council's website.

This evening (Thursday, 13 May, Orsett councillor Sue Little took to social media to announce: "On Saturday this week between the hours of 9 and 12, Orsett Showground will be a place you can take your rubbish. Then starting on Monday from 9am to 5pm."

Cllr Little has been lauded with praise from villagers on social media and thanked for her efforts for a great idea.

But while the Orsett Conservative member was feeling rather good about the news, just down the road East Tilbury independent councillor Fraser Massey was far less impressed when a coincidental visit to the council's website revealed the local drop off point he had been campaigning for had materialised, but he has slated the siting of it.

The council has decided to create a drop off point in the car park of Coalhouse Fort – starting in the morning!

The council has posted: "A new drop-off point opens on Friday, 14 May, from 9am to 2pm, at the car park of Coalhouse Fort, Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury, RM18 8PB."

Cllr Massey told Thurrock Nub News he was shocked not to be informed about the site, having led the local call for one for residents.

And he says he is baffled why the Fort, which is a public heritage site and an open space for people to visit and enjoy a country park, has been chosen.

He said: "It's ridiculous to site it there, it's so far out of the way down a road that has cars parked on it and some congestion at the best of times, so why encourage people to drive there with bags of rubbish? I had suggested sites within the village that were central to the ward but it appears the council takes no notice of local knowledge and the experience of councillors.

"Although it is good to have a drop off site, I don't see this being a good location for it. Lots of narrow roads with cars each side. I suggested the Memorial Park car park as it could then be used by those making school runs."

Cllr Massey's view is shared by many villagers who have commented, with one summing it up by saying: "That's a sensationally bad idea." Another said: "With one way in and one way out, it really is utter madness."