RESIDENTS in Tilbury have expressed their anger at being treated as 'poor relations' by Thurrock Council when it comes to keeping the town's public spaces and streets clean.

Last month Thurrock Nub News featured a video made by a local resident showing the shocking state of car parks and pavements. It can be viewed via this link.

Other residents have since contacted Nub News to say they feel they and Tilbury are being treated as second class by the borough council, with little or no attempt to clean up areas, prosecute offenders or install preventative measures.

One man who has taken up the cudgel on behalf of residents is former councillor John Allen, a man born and bred in the town, who shares the concern that the council is turning its back on Tilbury.

At the request of residents Nub News met up with Mr Allen, who is standing for election as an independent candidate in next month's poll in the Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park ward, and he walked us around an area close to Dock Road - in particular Russell Road, Church Road, Ellerman Road, Broadway and Selwyn Road  and a number of car parks – which were in a state of considerable disrepair with potholes, broken fencing and a large amount of fly-tipping and general rubbish accumulation.

It was quite clear none of the areas have been street-cleaned for a considerable time.

John Allen is angered by his perceived abdication of responsibility to Tilbury by Thurrock Council.

Mr Allen also pointed out a former petrol station site where hoardings have fallen down allowing  access to a dangerous site where there is considerable fly-tipping. Although the site is privately owned, Mr Allen believes the council has abdicated its enforcement responsibilities.

He also showed us correspondence that has taken place over recent months between himself and the council, where environmental and highways officers pledged to take action – promises that remain unfulfilled.

He said:" It's absolutely shocking. This would not be allowed anywhere else in the borough but the council doesn't care about Tilbury.

"This has been reported time and time again and much of the fly-tipping and danger to the public is on council-owned land but nothing happens.

"It as if Tilbury doesn't matter. It seems it's ok to leave filth and mess on the streets of Tilbury and the council can't be bothered to pursue the owners of property and some businesses that completely disregard the rest of the community.

"And it's not just the litter and fly-tipping, the area is riddled with huge potholes, there are people parking and living in caravans and mobile homes on council car parks and the former petrol station is a major accident waiting to happen. Car parks are also home to the operation of illegal vehicles.

"I have had promises of action time and time again and even one officer saying he will come out and sort things himself – but nothing has been done.

"What do we have to do to get Thurrock Council to care about Tilbury?"

Bottle-strewn car parks and pathways.

Mr Allen's concerns have been echoed by the incumbent ward councillor, Bukky Okunade who will be battling him at next month's elections on behalf of the Labour Party. It seems while they have differences on many issues, they are agreed Tilbury is being treated a second class town.

Cllr Okunade told Nub News: "Thank you for visiting these parts of Tilbury and meeting with some residents. I'm also grateful for the opportunity to comment. 

"The residents of Tilbury deserve to live in a community that is cleaner, greener, and more visually appealing. Residents pay their council taxes to ensure that they lived in a clean and safe environment.

"Unfortunately, rubbish is typically dumped in areas that are already considered unsightly rather than in clean and well-maintained areas. As you've highlighted, in these areas and some alleyways, fly-tipping has become a persistent problem because of the deterioration of environmental conditions.

"No matter how much time and effort I put into getting them reported and cleared away, fly-tipping always reappears after a short time. 

"Dock Road, Tilbury's main entrance, should give residents and visitors a positive impression of the town.

Rubbish, weeds and flytipping are common-place

"This can be accomplished by having the council provide for the town's needs, beginning with redesigning the disused open spaces and dilapidated sites, as well as resurfacing the many Tilbury roads. If tarmac and parking bays are not installed on council-owned lands, such as the somewhat derelict plot off Dock Road behind Dunlop Road (Garner Courts), the space will continue to be used as a dumping ground for rubbish and fly-tipping.

"I raised the issue at a full council meeting last year, and I have yet to receive a promised visit from the portfolio holder to inspect the condition of Tilbury roads. We urge the Conservative-controlled council to give Tilbury the attention it so fully deserves."

Nub News contacted the Conservative group on the council offering the opportunity for their candidate, Jordan Ali, or another spokesperson to comment but it has not responded to our communication.

Hoardings have fallen down around a dangerous former petrol station site

People are living in mobile homes and camper vans on car parks that are riddled with potholes