A THURROCK councillor has described trying to get the authority to do things to benefit his local community is 'like trying to push an elephant up a hill with one arm tied behind your back'.

East Tilbury independent councillor Fraser Massey was responding to local comment on the situation regarding the continued operation of a landfill site on Princess Margaret Road.

The site is operated by S Walsh and Sons and has long been considered a blight on the local community because of the vast number of lorries going to and from it through the village and the debris and mess those vehicles make on local roads.

However, the landfill site should have been closed earlier this year when planning permission expired. The company was supposed to have capped the site and restored the local environment but instead put in an application to further extend the site's life.

The fact that the site remains in operation has prompted huge concern and expressions of anger from local residents – particularly about the lack of enforcement by Thurrock Council.

Cllr Massy is among those expressing his frustration with the situation, who says the council has promised to act, but has not. He says: " I am chasing it with the council. Do I feel misled and angry? 100 per cent!

"As far as I can see they are now operating without a valid planning application or one being approved and the sites contractors managing to cover everyone's cars in chalk whilst they do it.

"A lot is about going between various parties, and let's face it a lot of it is usually down to the council not getting things done in a timely manner.

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"It's like trying to push an elephant up a hill with one arm tied behind your back."