Lance Corporal Nicky Mason

DESPITE objections from a community forum, senior Thurrock councillors have given the green light to the renaming of a road to honour a local soldier killed in the Afghan conflict.

Lance Corporal Nicky Mason died on active duty in Afghanistan on 13 September 2008. His body was brought home and a moving service in the town saw a large turn out for his funeral which included a significant representation from the armed forces, including colleagues from the 2nd Parachute Regiment who had served alongside him.

In the wake of his death his family, led by his father Dennis, established a local charity in his name and a memorial was created in the heart of the town in the Aveley War Memorial Garden.

However, as his memory continues to inspire and remind residents of the dangers of conflict, it was felt that a further tribute would be to name a road in his honour and a petition was sent to Thurrock Council to that effect, suggesting the Aveley by-pass be renamed the Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Way.

Though the petition was supported by local councillors and many residents, the idea was opposed by members of one of the town's two community forums, the Aveley and Kenningtons Community Forum.

Among its reasons for objection was the following statement from a resident: "For years, Aveley residents complained about heavy traffic in Ship Lane and the High Street area. Eventually the Aveley bypass was built.

From left: Cllr David van Day, Rev Alan Field, Dennis Mason and Lee Mason as they celebrated confirmation that the road will be renamed.

"The clue is in the word bypass. Motorists, new to the area, know that by using the by-pass, they avoid an area of congestion / narrow roads / Zebra crossings and possible delays.

"It is easier to direct motorists around the area to say "continue along the B1335" or "along the bypass" than to say "continue along the Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Way".

"While I have the utmost sympathy for the Mason family in their tragic loss, there are many names on the Aveley War Memorial of Aveley residents who gave their lives in the two world wars in the last century.

"I have at least two past relatives who lost their lives in the First World War. One uncle was at the battle of the Somme and he related to me some of the experiences that he and other fellow troops endured. To keep the Lance Corporal Nicky Mason name in the public domain, there is already a corner of the Aveley War Memorial Garden dedicated to his memory. So I don't believe another project needs to be named in the Lance Corporal Mason memory."

That was echoed by the forum and its chair, Teresa Webster, who said: "Although we do sympathise with the Mason family with regards to the tragic loss of Nicky, there are a number of families who are part of our community who have also lost family members in past combat.

"The Forum feels it would be more appropriate to recognise all and not one soldier who has fallen so not to segregate one from all.

"In view of this, in the event that the B1335 is considered for renaming, it would be more appropriate to recognise all fallen soldiers in our community by perhaps renaming as Remembrance Way or Avenue. This could also be enhanced by a tree being planted along the B1335 for each soldier fallen."

However, at a meeting of the cabinet last night (Wednesday, 9 March) it was agreed to name the road Lance Corporal Nicky Mason Way, much to the delight of members of the family who attended the meeting and ward councillor David van Day who made a brief presentation.

The discussion can be viewed in full via our video.

Cabinet members also discussed the need for two forums in Aveley and communities portfolio holder Cllr Deborah Huelin said the matter of forums and their constitutions and roles across the borough was being reviewed.