A COMPANY has admitted it has breached vehicle movement restrictions on a residential road in Stanford-le-Hope where residents' lives have been blighted for several years by illegal lorry movements.

However, because of the problems of operating from the site it has now moved on to new premises in Grays.

Following continuous complaints by residents about multiple offenders, Thurrock Council brought a prosecution against what it has described as 'a nuisance scaffolding company' operating from the Stanhope industrial estate, though the firm is no longer based there.

A court appearance cost NXT GEN Scaffolding more than £1,000 in fines and costs after it pleaded guilty at Southend Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 23 September for breaching notices served in December last year to cease out-of-hours movements of vehicles entering and leaving the estate at the end of Wharf Road.

The punitive action against NXT Gen, which had build up a lot of support locally in Stanford for its support of events like Thurrock Music Festival and the Corringham-based Thurrock Foodbank, has surprised some local people.

While residents have welcomed the move to take action in the wake of offences as 'no-one should be above the law', surprise has already been expressed by some that other companies using the estate – who have also been regularly filmed, photographed and at times embroiled in police investigations – appear to have gone unpunished.

One resident, who asked not to be identified because of fears of repercussions from some of the businesses operating on the estate, said: "This is good news but why just this firm? There have been other, far more regular offenders on this estate who the council keep 'warning' but nothing happens other than that.

"Morning, noon and night we have vehicles flying up and down this road and we offer up the evidence that the council say they want, but it seems a waste of time if the council is selective about who it prosecutes. No-one is above the law but residents here know that this firm was not one of the worst offenders.

"Something appears seriously wrong here. Is it one rule for one, another rule for someone else? I don't blame the two ward councillors. Shane Hebb and Terry Piccolo do their best but they are up against the same brick wall we are facing."

In a statement released today (Friday, 25 September) the council says: "Council planning enforcement officers caught the scaffolding company on CCTV after continued anti-social activity sparked complaints from residents living nearby. Magistrates fined the scaffolding company, which is no longer based at the estate, £650 and ordered the company to pay £350 in costs, to be awarded to the council, and a £65 victim surcharge. The council's court costs were also covered."

While there is no doubting the public concern – and the oft-quoted disappointment of the ward councillors – Thurrock Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, paints a picture that the council is on top of the issue.

He said: "Where we can take action we will, and this prosecution sends out a clear message to drivers and companies that we do not tolerate this public nuisance. We will pursue cases further with those who ignore enforcement action and numerous warnings.

"Thank you to local residents for reporting out-of-hours activity at the Stanhope Industrial Estate which has in this instance allowed us to bring the case before the court.

"It is not acceptable for residents to be disturbed by driving breaches made outside specified days and times and, where possible, we will continue to work with any affected residents to take appropriate action."

That cut little ice with our contact on Wharf Road who told us: "I have personally reported one firm many, many times and have supplied pictures of their vehicles going up and down the road but I am told by the council that the vehicles were not there! What's the point of reporting it if the council then say you are not telling the truth? And why would they do that....?"

To report out-of-hours HGV and lorry movements to the council, click here.