THURROCK Council leader Lynn Worrall delivered a damning critique of work carried out by the council to repair a borough road.

Cllr Worrall contributed to a Facebook debate about the state of repairs to a drop kerb on the Homesteads in Stanford-le-Hope, which had been highlighted by residents and local commentators including ward councillors.

The repair, carried out by contractors, was in Holst Close.

Independent ward councillor Gary Byrne was so upset by the standard of the work, he called in the authority's director of place, Clair Demmel to intervene and that led to a ward walk, looking at other shoddy work.

Cllr Byrne described the work done as 'an abortion' adding: "It's the poor workmanship and the contractor's response that are very concerning."

Cllr Worrall also interjected into the conversations, saying: "This standard of work is not acceptable. If they wouldn't accept it outside their home, they should not use that as a standard outside someone else's.

"I understand it has now been completed to a good standard."

A statement from Thurrock council says: "This was a repair to fix an issue with a damaged kerb. The type of kerb damaged is no longer in use, so tarmac has been used for the repair.

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"The initial repair did not dry and cure properly, so an additional repair has taken place. Our highways team has spoken with neighbours to let them know what is happening and what work has been done."

The resident whose property access was affected said the council's response had been poor when she complained and she describe the whole process as 'a s**t show'!

Previous similar repairs on the Homesteads ward, as shown in these pictures from Cllr Gary Bytne, have used concerted or tarmac and kerbstones. But he says cost-cutting has now come into the equation.

Thurrock Nub News understands that previously such repairs would have been resolved by using concrete to make a comprehensive repair, but has been told that the council has now advised the use of tarmac-like materials to save costs.