CONTEMPORARY and difficult topics are on the agenda for Tuesday evening's (24 February) Tilbury Community Forum where a number of controversial issues will be debated.

Among topics to be discussed are developments around the mosque on St Chad's Road which has become a heated focal point among some members of the local community with its potential expansion and parking issues among local concerns.

Concerns are rising about the Tilbury mosque becoming a flash point. There have been repeated incidents of picketing' people attending meetings but also accustaions of poor parking and irresponsible actions by mosque followers and attendees.

Forum chair Craig Austin says: "Following the concerns raised by the community regarding the Mosque/Education Centre on St Chads the Tilbury Forum was asked by Essex Police to put on a meeting for the community where the various stakeholders can present and take questions. This your chance to contribute."

The situation of construction management around the town's new youth zone building on the Anchor Field are also likely to be raised, with residents uipsat by the impact and damage caused to the remaining playing fields.

Reports may also include information on plans to build a new pontoon at the port of Tilbury and the restoration of a Tilbury-Gravesend ferry service.

And it is probably that there will be further discussion on the legacy problems of the redevelopment of the town's Civic Square which has seen unpopular parking changes, claims of a drop in trade by local retailers and Ensign Buses not using allocated stops because they aare dangerous.

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The meeting begins at 7pm at Tilbury Community Centre.

Half an eye and ear will also be kept on Tuesday's planning meeting at Thurrock Council where the application for building the Tilbury 3 port will be debated.