A THURROCK man has urged fellow Thurrock residents to become more proactive and engage in helping the police enforce regulations in an HGV-blighted area of the borough.

Last month Thurrock Nub News reported on increasing concerns about the number of HGVs flouting the rules in West Thurrock on London road and ignoring weight restrictions.

Essex Police conceded the problem lies within their domain of responsibility but asked residents to take a more pro-active role and report instances of offending.

One man, who has asked not to be named, has contacted us to say there has been a positive result to a number of pictures he has sent in in the wake of that appeal, showing clear breaches of the restrictions. And he hopes more people will follow his lead - but also that the council will step up and do more.

He says: "The reporting process online is a little difficult but I got to grips with it eventually and I was really pleased that the police have taken immediate action. Well done them. But it's a shame the council is clearly not taking the same pro-active approach to he problem, it does not seem right that the police are having to devote these resources to a situation where the weight limits are imposed by the council, which is therefore clearly aware of the problem.

"Hopefully more people will now use the reporting system as I have done and we can all do something to help improve safety - something that might well mean we end up saving a life as the roads are very busy with pedestrians and these big lorries on an unsuitable road are a threat."

The force has responded to ten instances where complaints were logged through its reporting website and six prosecutions resulting in the issue of £50 fines have resulted. In the four that failed he police have explained that all details need to be totally accurate and any pictures submitted must be clear, not blurred.

In one instance one of the vehicles was identified but police said: "The vehicle is a foreign registered vehicle and we are unable to pursue any foreign registered vehicle due to constraints agreed in the Brexit deal."

Warnings that further breaches will occur punishment have also been issued to the guilty drivers.

In our story last month, we explained that the weight limits are imposed by Thurrock Council but the authority abdicates any responsibility for enforcement.

The police statement to the complainant added: "Thank you for raising this issue with Essex Police and just to advise you that this weight limit was implemented by Thurrock Council.

"As you are probably aware, Thurrock Council have stated to Essex Police that they implement the weight limits due to complaints. Essex Police have very high demands put on them by all services and members of the public and have to prioritise the work that is received.

"Unfortunately, this type of offence is categorised as low and as previously released to the press, we do take complaints of breaches of weight limits as serious and carry out enforcement action where possible and try to engage with persistent offenders, especially where there is a clear risk to peoples safety or risk to damage to structures on the roads.

"This weight restriction has been put in place by removing the weight restriction in Devonshire Road to stop nuisance for residents and improve quality of life for the residents."

An email address where residents can register views to Thurrock Council is [email protected].