RESIDENTS and a local MP are angry after being presented with what appears to be a fait accompli by Thurrock Council over a controversial parking project. The council says it is open to consultation and local views, but has already set the clock on the start of work.

The council sent residents a letter about plans for major works outside Harris Academy Chafford Hundred secondary school and the Harris Mayflower primary, both on Mayflower Road, which involves the school giving up land so the council can create more space for vehicles to park.

It describes the letter as part of a consultation and says it welcomes residents' comments - but that work is set to start in just 36 days' time.

Borough MP Jen Craft has been in talks with the council, Harris Academies and residents on traffic problems in the area, including the adjacent Mill Lane, where a child was recently struck by a vehicle.

She told Thurrock Nub news: "I was told by the council in talks that they would look at a consultation, but that they couldn't go into detail as they were waiting for ward councillors signing off,

"So, I had arranged a meeting of residents last Friday (19 June) to discuss options as there was talk about a consultation - but then on the morning of the meeting residents got a letter with the proposal that is very much 'we are doing this and we're starting in four weeks.'

"That was first time I'd seen that letter, I'm pretty livid about it."

A map shown to residents by ward councillor Sue Shinnick

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Mrs Craft say residents who attended the meeting came up with alternative solutions to existing problems - and the school has also contributed its ideas at the meeting - but she says she was disappointd the council did not attend to listen to them. Hence she urges residents to make their views known to the council as soon as possible,

The council letter says: "We are writing to inform you of a proposed scheme to address ongoing traffic congestion and parking issues on Mayflower Road, particularly during school drop-off and pick-up times.

"The council continues to receive complaints about parked vehicles obstructing traffic flow, causing delays to residents, the school community and bus services as well as creating safety concerns.

"To provide a long-term solution, Thurrock Council has been working with Harris Academy to transfer a small section of school land into public ownership. Approval in principle has been secured from Harris Academy for the required land transfer.

"This will allow construction of a new 1.5m footway and reconfiguration of the road layout.

The proposals include:

• New parking laybys (no restriction on the laybys)
• New and amended yellow line restrictions to manage school-time congestion
• Removal of obstructive parking from the carriageway
• Restoration of two way traffic flow
• Improved safety and journey reliability

"The scheme will be fully funded through Section 106 contributions

"Works are planned to start on Monday, 26 July during the summer holidays and are expected to last approximately six weeks. Further details will be shared at least two weeks before works begin.

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"We welcome your views on the proposal."

Residents are advised to email [email protected] or call the council's general line 01375 652652 and ask for transport delivery services. There is no related online link on the council's consultation web page.

'A Section 106 contribution' is money that has already been set aside after being given to the council for community improvements in return for planning permission. However, it does come with a deadline and if it is not used within a specified time it could be returned to developers - which has happened elsewhere in the borough due to council delays.

Mrs Craft says she will be raising the matter again with the council but urged all residents to let the council know their views as quickly as possible.

A resident on Mayflower Road told Thurrock Nub News: "I've been to a meeting with Jen Craft about the parking and congestion along Mayflower Road. My neighbours and I were sceptical going into the meeting having received the council's letter. It seemed a fait accompli but to give Jen Craft her due she seems supportive of our position.

"At the meeting we were handed a plan that we'd not seen before then by Cllr Sue Shinnick who said she'd not seen the new plans for the road before Friday, even though the council, we were told, were waiting for councillors to 'sign it off'.

"It says it's a consultation but then says work starts 20th July. We object to this and will be sending that message to the council.

"It appears this is a done deal so we are not sure if our objections really will halt the works.

"Cllr Shinnick did say the council need to spend the money or it will be lost or something along those lines so that makes me think this consultation is a farce!

"Most people at the meeting seemed to be on the same page in that it won't solve the issue and don't like the idea.

"I just wonder if there's anything we can do other than chain ourselves to the railings they are going to demolish!"