THURROCK MP Jen Craft is set to meet the Environment Agency later this month as concerns remain over dust pollution affecting residents in Tilbury.

The Labour MP said she had pushed for the meeting after hearing repeated complaints from residents, with recent hot and dry weather worsening conditions across the town.

Concerns in Tilbury were raised as recently as late July when local Cllr Bailey Scott urged residents to contact the council and complain following several days of particularly bad air pollution in the town.

However, this evening (Wednesday, 2 September) - despite Thurrock Council still advertising the dust line as open - Thurrock Nub News was able to confirm it has been closed and council operatives are not accepting telephone reports.

News of the line closure was broken to Mrs Craft tonight.

She is urging residents to contact her with specific concerns and examples ahead of the talks so they can be raised directly with Environment Agency officials.

She said: "Dust pollution in Tilbury is a serious issue, and one that I know causes misery for residents.

"The recent hot, dry weather has made things worse, as I've heard from many people locally.

"I've raised this with the council, who tell me they're working with the Environment Agency and Port Health Authority to investigate key polluters.

"I pushed hard to get this meeting set up because it's vital that we build up a clear picture of when and where this is happening to enable enforcement action."

Mrs Craft said she had previously raised the issue with Thurrock Council and had written to Government ministers calling for tougher regulations to help tackle dust pollution.

The problem has been the subject of ongoing discussions for several months, although the precise source of the dust has not been publicly identified.

In March, Thurrock councillors were told the Environment Agency would station a member of staff permanently in Tilbury, while the Port Health Authority would provide officers to assist with monitoring and investigating complaints.

A month later, Thurrock Council launched a 24-hour dust hotline, allowing residents to report incidents as they occur.

However, in discussion at the Tilbury Community Forum in April residents raised concerns that the dust hotline was ineffective.

Residents wishing to report dust pollution were advised to call the dedicated dust hotline on 01375 372468.

Thurrock Nub News has been reporting on dust issues for many years, and in early 2025 published this report, including video footage, highlighting the need for action: https://shorturl.at/pcUjq