THURROCK Council has once again been roundly condemned for the way in which it is sending its workers and contractors out to carry on work - while at the same time preaching locdown and 'stay at home' to residents.

This morning (Tuesday, 7 April) council workers were captured turning up at Kilverts Field and Grays Riverside - and area where over the weekend the public were warned they should not be visiting.

And this afternoon residents in South Ockendon have spoken of their disbelief when contractors turned up, asking to go inside people's homes, to carry out water tests.

Thurrock Council was asked why workers were carrying out what appeared to be menial environmental tasks in Grays - just days after the council had conceded to the Unite union it was putting its workers at 'uneccessary risk'.

It has not responded.

Concern was also raised about workers in Tilbury who belong to a local contractor who carry out a lot of work for the council. They too were in breach of all clear coronavirus social distance guidance.

This afternoon residents in South Ockendon were aghast when engineers turned up on their doorsteps asking to enter homes to check water supplies.

Resident Andy Brandon was incensed and immediately contacted the council to find out if the visit was approved. His anger didn't diminish when he found it was.

Mr Brandon says: "Just had an engineer from a council contractor, IWS (Integrated Water Solutions) knock on my door, as they are in the area "testing water" of the council houses and flats.

"I didn't let them in as I cannot believe how irresponsible this is considering the situation!

"The UK is currently in lockdown and we are not even allowed to visit friends and family due to risk of spreading the virus.

"I don't understand the council's logic"

"Yet the council authorise engineers can go in and out of multiple households spreading the virus as they please?

"I don't understand the council's logic. Why would they not follow government advice?"

Enquiries to Thurrock Council by residents resulted in confirmation that the council had authorised the work and are classing it as "essential" work as they are testing the water for Legionnaire's Disease.

Mr Brandon added: "So in their opinion it's acceptable to potentially spread corona virus just to test the water in case Legionnaire's which evidently only infects 200 per year!

"Killing them for a water test"

"I explained that this is ridiculous and that if they were to spread coronavirus to a vulnerable resident then they are essentially killing them for a water test!"

Other residents have confirmed they have been visited and one produced a letter from the council, explaining what they were doing.

Residents have been united in their anger, summed up by Tony Wakefield who says: "What part of stay at home and isolate yourself from possible infection, does Thurrock Council not understand?"

Thurrock Council has been asked to comment.