THURROCK Council has played down concerns and complaints from residents in the Grays Riverside area, particularly around Greenwood House, about poor lighting and a failure of contractors to complete scheduled repairs.

Though the council says it is on top of the situation, ward councillor Jane Pothecary has picked up the baton on residents' behalf and has called on the authority to ensure residents are not left in the dark.

She told Thurrock Nub News: "Proper lighting in the high rise car park is absolutely crucial to making sure residents are safe and the area is secure for them to use.

"The lighting needs to be fixed as soon as possible. This needs to be made an immediate priority."

The issued was raised by local resident Grant Draper who says the council have not only abdicated taking responsibility for repairing the lights, they have played fast and loose with the truth.

Mr Draper told Nub News: "There is no lighting still in the car park at Greenwood House. Thurrock Council are now saying that the company that have the job can't get a cherry picker to do the work and are waiting for one.

Darkness prevails at ground floor level says Mr Draper.

"There's been about four dates that they were supposed to come out and it's still not done. I don't know why another contractor can't do the work if the first one has no intention of doing it.

"This has been going on for so long now. I have come to the end of my tether with this and to top it off someone was attacked very close by recently.

"This is now becoming very stressful, What can't we have lighting in our car park? I have never in my life known anything like it. We just need some bulbs to be put in lampposts."

However, despite being aware of Mr Draper's concerns – and those of Cllr Pothecary – a statement to Nub News today (Tuesday, 12 July) plays down the situation.

It read: "There has been one scheduled repair booked for 20 June which had to be cancelled because Mears, the council's contractor, was unable to secure required plant from their supplier.

"Works have now been rescheduled to take place on 18 July. The council is in direct contact with residents about this matter and will provide information on this to the tenants of Greenwood House.".