THURROCK Council officers have been directed to come up with a plan to create a relief road that will take HGV traffic from the Stanhope Industrial Estate in Stanford-le-Hope away from the town centre.

Residents in Stanford, particularly on Wharf Road, the main access road to the industrial estate, have been blighted by the volume of heavy traffic, particularly extra-large loads going to and from the premises of the Squibb demolition company.

In the build up to the 2012 Olympic games, Squibb moved from their East London site to the estate on the promise of a bridge over the railway and a link road – a pledge made by the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

That pledge was reneged on when Thurrock Council took back planning powers on the demise of the Corporation on government orders in 2012.

Other firms have moved to the industrial site including scrap metal processors and scaffolding companies. Some have been given orders to take a route down Corringham Road to get to the A13 while others have escaped restrictions and use London Road – and all have to negotiate the narrow Wharf Road which is a residential area.

There have been many incidents of cars being damaged and the road blocked by oversize vehicles that struggle to manoeuvre. There have even been clashes between residents and lorry drivers that have ended in assaults!

With the creation of the new Thames Freeport, there is an opportunity for infrastructure projects that will benefit the local environment and community as it comes with cash provided by the government to help regenerate and transform the area.

Recently Stanford West independent councillor Neil Speight met with the Freeport chair, Ruth Kelly, and representatives of two major partners, DP World and the Port of Tilbury with a proposal to bring the Development Corporation's plan back to life – which would not only make a huge difference to Stanford, but would allow for further development at Stanhope and possibly more jobs in the area. It would also be more cost effective for the businesses on Stanhope.

Freeport expressed a willingness to engage but said that as a link road would cross green belt, albeit over a short route, it was up to Thurrock Council to take the initiative and come up with a plan.

This overhead image shows where a relief link road could go (in red) while the yellow linbes show the way HGVs have to go to access the Manorway or A13.

Consequently, Cllr Speight proposed a motion to last night's (Wednesday, 26 July) full council meeting calling on the appropriate and requisite council departments and officers to support the possibility of the relief road linking up with the Manorway and produce a timely outline project plan.

Yesterday morning fellow ward councillor, Terry Piccolo, submitted a very similar amendment but removed Cllr Speight's references to discussions with the Freeport and referred back to historical conversations – saying "much work has been done in recent years regarding a relief road to mediate impact of Stanhope Industrial Estate, from lobbying the freeport process and work between councillors and cabinet members on the local plan".

He candidly admitted in presenting his amendment that he was looking to seek credit for the scheme, saying "I will be standing for re-election next year".

Cllr Speight, who is the editor of Thurock Nub News, told the meeting: "I don't really care who gets the credit, the important thing is the residents of Stanford-le-Hope. We just need to get this relief road built, it is one project Thurrock Council can do very simply that will be of tremendous and lasting benefit to the community. It will change Stanford-le-Hope for the better. So, if it helps get this through I withdraw my motion and let Cllr Piccolo's stand so we don't have a split vote. Once again a motion in this chamber has become politicised which I find disappointing, but let's just get this road built. It's a win, win for everybody if we can make it happen."

Cllr Piccolo's motion was unanimously passed by members.

You can read both amendments here.