AS children in Thurrock prepare to go back to school in numbers this coming week, residents in Grays fear that an 'accident waiting to happen' may materialise and they have been critical of police and Thurrock Council for doing little to stop a potential danger.

Last December Thurrock Nub News reported on an incident close to Woodside School where a scooter rider on a pedestrian path hit a child with his machine.

Fortunately there were no serious injuries but parents and residents described it as a narrow escape and spoke of their fears that the next incident might not have such an outcome.

They called on police and the council to look at preventative methods of stopping the road riders, who include scrambler, scooter and quad biker riders who regularly ride in the area.

However, they say there appears to have been nothing constructive done by way of gates or barriers, particularly around the new Woodside estate, and add riders still regularly drive around the area unchecked.

Local resident Andrew Owen says: "It is bizarre that people who live here see what is going on and can picture these people carrying on their activities in pictures but the authorities don't seem to be able to do so.

"My question to them is: 'Do you think it's acceptable to keep letting these little thugs try and bully people who live on this estate? You've known the problem for more than a year and have done nothing! Or do residents have to start taking action into our own hands before you act?

"Children will be back to school and using these paths next week. Will it take another accident and possibly injury or worse to a child for something to be done?"