COUNCILLORS in Grays have welcomed an announcement that Thurrock Council is to fully externally refurbish nine high rise tower blocks located in the town.

The aim is to prolong the life of the blocks close to the Thames in South Grays and in Blackshots.

Works will comprise a complete upgrade of the external wall system that is currently in place on the blocks. The roofs of the blocks will be replaced, the insulation upgraded, a new canopy will be fitted to the entrance of the blocks and, as a further improvement to the thermal efficiency, the current uPVC windows will also be replaced with double glazed aluminium windows.

A statement from the council says: "We appreciate that residents will want to be fully informed of the works due to events in recent years and we can assure all residents that the works will achieve the highest safety standards.

"As we cannot hold any face to face meetings at this time or visit you in your home we have set up an online consultation portal for any questions you may have about these proposals, and we will hold other consultation events once this becomes an option once more."

Grays Riverside ward councillors Martin Kerin, Jane Pothecary and Tony Fish has spoken up as six of the blocks, Greenwood House, Butler House, Davall House, Lionel Oxley House, Arthur Toft House and George Crooks House – are in their ward.

"It says: "We welcome this news, and encourage our residents to participate fully in the consultation. Equally, we understand that our leasehold residents will need assurances about how they will be charged for this work. To this end, we will be pushing for a fair deal for our leaseholders.

"News of this refurbishment is good and we are pleased to see the commitment of Thurrock Council to maintaining and up-keeping them to the highest standards – it's the least our residents deserve.

"We expect the Council to give a fair deal to the leaseholders who live in the blocks, and will work with them to achieve this.

"The south of Grays is crucial for the overall masterplan of Grays. We therefore welcome this emphasis on our residents who live there."

The consultation can be accessed here.