THREE councillors from Grays have brushed aside assurances from Thurrock Council following concerns that tower blocks in their ward may be blighted by asbestos.

Thurrock Nub News reported yesterday on how an anonymous leaflet had been distributed to residents in the local flats, particularly at Davall House, alleging the council has discovered bitumen asbestos in flooring at the flats.

The note said: "Each time residents walk in and out of these high rise flats they are threading (sic) on asbestos beneath their feet."

However, portfolio holder for housing, Conservative Cllr Barry Johnson responded by damning the notice as untrue and said its author was scaremongering.

He said: "The council is aware that a number of residents may have received an anonymous notice in regards to allegations about building safety matters relating to the tower block in which they live.

"To be clear and to reassure all our residents, the claims regarding the safety of the block are completely untrue.

"This notice is of a very similar content to one circulated in May 2020 that we also confirmed was entirely inaccurate and misleading."

However, this evening (Thursday, 4 February), the three Labour ward councillors in Grays Riverside said they wanted a thorough investigation into the allegations.

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Speaking on behalf of colleagues Cllr Tony Fish and Jane Pothecary, Cllr Martin Kerin said residents remained concerned and had raised concerns directly with them.

He added: "We are aware of Cllr Barry Johnson's press release, but residents have raised a number of issues and specific points. We are demanding that each and every issue and point is investigated thoroughly.

"We have raised the issues with council officers, and expect a full and timely response.

"As ward councillors, we take the issues raised extremely seriously. Residents have expressed their concerns to us and we are urgently seeking urgent answers from council officers.

"It is really important that residents feel safe in their homes. We are urgently seeking reassurance from the Thurrock Council so our residents can sleep at night."