DESPITE a wave of criticism and questions, Thurrock Council has remained tight-lipped about why it cut short a hot line allowing residents of Tilbury to give information about the blight of dust over the town.

The dust and air pollution continues to be a major problem and yesterday (Tuesday, 8 September) was a particularly bad day as this film and other pictures show.

As reported on Nub News last week, the authority closed - without notice - the information dust line that went live in April this year.

That prompted criticism from the town's MP who called for immediate reinstatement of the line, Tilbury's community forum, local councillors and the former councillor who was instrumental in setting up the information link.

Tilbury has been blighted by air pollution for many years and the dedicated dust line was seen by residents as the council finally taking the problem seriously.

However, after just five after just five months the council says its work is done and the team of officers dealing with reports has been stood down.

A statement issued by the council says: "The council has concluded a summer of evidence-gathering and investigation into the ongoing blight of dust in Tilbury, and is now in a much stronger position to help tackle dust issues around Tilbury, that have been a longstanding concern for local residents.

"Over the summer a special dust hotline was established to provide evidence of where dust was coming from, and help guide work to prevent that dust at source. Logging more than 100 calls, the phone line has helped locate and map possible sources of dust. Officers have acted on calls and carried out immediate investigations, at the time dust has been seen."

That release also included a statement from portfolio holder for regeneration and environment, Cllr Tom Kelly, who said: "Residents have been telling the council that dust is a significant issue in Tilbury for many years, and I'm really pleased that we have now gathered the information we need to get a clear picture of the problem and push for action to be taken.

"The work we've done this summer has given us huge amounts of intelligence that will help us develop a plan of action and help make a real impact in reducing dust pollution in Tilbury.

"Reports from residents allowed officers to carry out investigations while dust was still present. Those investigations have created a bank of evidence that will be used to either take enforcement action or to lobby the other responsible organisations, such as the Environment Agency and the ports, to take action."

The news from the council of the line's closure came as a surprise to those involved in getting it set up. They were unaware it had ended and received no word from the council directly.

MP Jen Craft said: "This decision is an insult to residents in Tilbury. It demonstrates an alarming lack of urgency in the Council to take the issue of dust seriously, while it continues to cause misery for the local community.

"The closure of the hotline is completely unacceptable. I would therefore ask that you urgently reconsider the decision to close it and reopen the hotline at the earliest opportunity."

Tilbury Cllr Bailey Scott, another passionate advocate of the hotline, declined to give Thurrock Nub News an immediate comment on his thoughts, saying he needed to reflect on the news, but said he and local colleagues would be seeking information from the council's top brass – at both political and officer level as soon as possible.

Tilbury Community Forum chair Craig Austin also expressed surprise at the new and said the forum had not been told, adding: "I was speaking to a senior officer in the council very recently about the dust line and its take-up by residents and no mention was made of the closure."

Another to have played a key role in ensuring the hotline came into being was former Labour cabinet member Mark Hooper who championed its introduction in his role as portfolio holder for adult social care and health.

He told Nub News: "I am extremely disappointed the council has taken down the dust line. I pushed to have it set up so residents have a voice.

"It was a vital and prudent initiative and the closing of the line would not have happened under my watch. The hotline should be reinstated."

In its statement a spokesperson for the council said the authority had shared information gathered with the Environment Agency and the Port Health.

The statement added: "This joint work will continue, with regular meetings taking place to ensure the issue of dust in Tilbury remains high on everyone's agenda.

"Alongside the information gathered through the hotline, the Council has also commissioned a programme of dust sample collection across Tilbury. These samples are being independently analysed to help identify the composition and potential sources of the dust being reported by residents. Once completed, the findings will provide an important additional evidence base to support the Council, partner agencies and other stakeholders in considering any further actions that may be necessary."

Thurrock Nub News asked for an explanation about why news of the line's closure had been announced retrospectively and without reference to those who helped create it, including local councillors.

We asked if the reasoning behind closure of the line was cost-cutting.

The council said it would not respond with information, saying: "At this point we have nothing further to add to the press release which makes clear the purpose and duration of the hotline and how information obtained through it will be taken forward.

"As the press release says nuisance dust can still be reported through the webpages found at: thurrock.gov.uk/report."