VISITORS to one of Thurrock's most popular park areas have been told that tolet facilities will be opened there on Monday.

Coalhouse Fort at East Tilbury Village is one of the most visited open spaces in the borough but through its café recently re-opened the toilets did not.

Now Thurrock Council, which runs the site, relaxed guidelines mean they can be opened.

A statement from the council says: "The toilet facilities at Coalhouse Fort are scheduled to open on Monday 3 August, when they will be compliant with the latest Government guidance and increased cleaning regimes will be in place.

"They will be open to members of the public between the core park hours of 10am and 6pm.

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic our environment teams have been undertaking litter picking and grass cutting duties to prepare the park for residents. In addition to this play areas have been routinely sprayed with antiviral disinfectant. Capital funding has also been utilised at the Fort to improve health and safety and increase accessibility for members of the public.

And the council added a footnote that will leave fort fans buzzing!

It sad: "There has also been praise for the Fort's involvement in the Shrill Carder Bee Conservation Strategy 2020-2030 which has seen the site take measures to help protect the rarest breed of bumblebee in England and Wales."