DESPITE a multitude of complaints from residents and calls from ward councillors to take more stringent action, Thurrock Council says its hands are tied when it comes to improving rubbish and parking problems in a congested area of Grays.

Residents on Clarence Road and Grange Road in the town allege that a food store is the source of recent problems with litter and unmanaged rubbish – a complaint that the council acknowledges is at least in historic terms well-founded.

However, they say they have done their best and will continue to monitor the situation. And new lorry loading restrictions are about to be imposed.

Residents have also complained about problems with parking, particularly motorists who park illegally and inconveniently while visiting the food store and other shops.

They are calling on the council to carry out more enforcement.

The residents' concerns are shared by ward councillors Jane Pothecary, Tony Fish and Martin Kerin, who issued the following statement to Nub News: "We've been working closely with our residents who live in the Clarence Road area of Grays for some time on trying to resolve issues around illegal parking and littering in Clarence Road.

"There are a number of businesses in Clarence Road, in what is quite a congested area where parking has been a problem for some time.

"The council have so far failed to come up with an adequate plan to tackle problem parking and littering. Thurrock Council need to work with local residents to come up with a solution to make sure Clarence Road and its adjoining streets are safe and enjoyable places to live."

The councillors have also shared some of the officer responses to their own enquiries – which show that though there have been problems with specific shops in the past, the council's most recent investigation could not lay fault at the store's door.

Local home occupiers have become extremely frustrated with the situation which, in a statement from neighbours, they described as a 'hell for residents'.

A van parked at the the side of the shop on the pavement alongside stacked crates

They said the problems have become increasingly worse, with one resident telling Nub News: "I feel depressed having to live here now, after 20 years of being happy here. How awful."

The residents' statement said: "Traffic is continually, constantly blocking our entrance to Grange Road. Cars and large, long delivery vans park on both sides so we cannot get in or out. If anyone needed emergency services in Grange Road they might not be able to get through. This is absolutely not right.

"Litter, rubbish and food waste left to rot is another issue, it is horrendous. Our road is becoming a pit."

There have also been stories of anti-social behaviour including a fight between people contesting a parking spot to get to the shop. "Residents have been intimidated by the violence" the statement says.

And it concludes: "Residents do not want this on our doorstep having a constant battle. Surely the council could do more?"

Correspondence shown to Nub News and residents shows the council have previously taken action and are continuing to take an interest in the area.

A senior enforcement officer writes: "I can confirm issues linked to litter and fly tip at this location were referred to the council's environmental enforcement team for investigation. The investigating officer conducted a site visit on Wednesday, 18 May to carry out initial enquiries. The officer completed a full inspection of the area taking photographs and notes in relation the complaint.

Bins and abandoned shopping trollies have been a source of compliants.

"In response to previous reports, the commercial business referenced in this complaint has been subject to previous enforcement action by way of a statutory notice pursuant of Section 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This notice is still in place and requires the business to comply with specified provisions in relation to the presentation and containerisation of their waste receptacles. Failure to do so can result in Fixed Penalty Notices being issued and / or the business being reported to Court.

"Upon inspection, the business were deemed to be compliant with the requirements of the notice and therefore no enforcement action was required upon this visit. This does not set precedent for any future investigations and Officers will continue to monitor and will take enforcement action if and where appropriate.

"A fly tip was located. However, this was in Finchley Road adjacent to Grange Road. The investigating officer was unable to obtain any evidence to suggest it was related to the Grays Food Centre. Moreover, there was insufficient evidence to identify any offenders and as a consequence, there are no further lines of enquiries to follow. The fly tip was reported to Thurrock Council's street cleansing team for removal.

"The investigating officer reports that there was littering present on Grange Road however, it would be difficult to attribute the liability to the business. In addition and In the event any individual did purchase items from this shop and either drink or consume those items then go onto litter said items directly outside the store, then it would be the individual who would be responsible for the littering offence and be liable for a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN).

"This location is monitored regularly by the enforcement service and should there be any offences witnessed or evidenced, a robust zero tolerance enforcement approach will be taken.

"The parking enforcement Team, have carried out and continue to carry out robust patrols in and around the vicinity of Grays Food Centre. Officers are deployed daily to the location and enforce upon any vehicle seen parked in contravention of the waiting restrictions which are present around the junction of Clarence Road and Grange Road.

"It has previously been noted that there are a number of larger vehicles that supply Grays Food Centre, which can cause congestion around the junctions and prevent clear exit routes. In liaison with transport and development colleagues it was proposed to place a loading bay around the junction Clarence Road/Grange Road and also Clarence Road/Park Road. This proposal followed the statutory consultation process and was approved early this year.

"The legal Traffic Regulation Order has now been signed and sealed, and a works order has been raised with our lining contractor to carry out the required lining work. Once completed, vehicles will no longer be permitted to load or unload within the areas marked with double yellow kerb blips, freeing up sight lines in and out of Grange Road. Any vehicle observed loading at this location will be subject to an instant penalty charge notice.

"The parking enforcement team will continue to commit resource to enforcing at this location and all contraventions will be subject to robust, zero tolerance enforcement action."

Thurrock Council has declined to respond to Thurrock Nub News.