RESIDENTS in West Thurrock concerned about what appears to be an underground oil leak near their homes have been assured Thurrock Council is trying to find the cause of the problem – and solve it.

Thurrock Nub News first reported on the issue last month when the oil was spotted bubbling up in the Parsonage Road area of Grays.

Fire service crews attended the scene at an adjacent oil storage site and a service spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to a fuel spill in Parsonage Road. On arrival, crews reported diesel and oil was rising through floodwater in the drains and have left the scene in the care of the local authority and Environment Agency."

That was on June 18 and since then residents have expressed concern about a lack of information.

Today (Monday, 12 July) Thurrock Council have responded to our questions and Cllr Ben Maney, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: "We are aware of the issue with Parsonage Road, Grays, and highways officers have attended the site a number of times to try and ease the effects of the surplus water.

"The Environment Agency and Anglian Water have been contacted and we are working alongside their teams to investigate and identify the cause of this issue. We are also considering if the oil has been disposed of within the drainage network, which will involve a full CCTV survey.

"We would like to assure residents that we are working hard to resolve this issue."