HAULAGE firms whose trucks breached parking restrictions in South Ockendon have been rebuked by the operators of the landfill site they had just visited, in the latest incident in a years long battle by residents against lorry movements and infringements in the town.

On Monday residents captured a picture of three vehicles parked up close to the Rural Arisings land reclamation project off Arisdale Avenue and yet again called for more enforcement by Thurrock council – saying it is only fines or the realistic threat of fines that will stop it happening.

"Time and time again we see flagrant abuses of this nature. Time and time again we complain – but little ever gets done by the council. What is the point of having rules and regulations if the council continues to ignore the problem?" said our correspondent.

Rural Arisings have confirmed the vehicles came from their site – but said it is not their responsibility, but they have spoken to the haulage operators.

A statement from Rural Arising says: "We can confirm that all 3 HGV's visible in the picture you have provided did come and use our facility in South Ockendon in the morning of the Monday 26/04/2021.

"Vehicles coming to use our facility do not belong to Rural Arisings Ltd, these are separate haulage firms which at their own discretion choose to come to us.

"Vehicles and haulage firms are responsible for their own actions when not in the site, we do however take measures to encourage and enforce as much as is feasibly possible appropriate behaviour outside of the site.

"We have previously mentioned that these issues can be addressed directly to the haulage firms or ourselves and we will pass on the information to the haulage firms and reiterate that these issues are not accepted.

"We do not approve of such behaviour and have already notified the firms involved in this specific incident that it cannot be tolerated."