AN engineering firm carrying out work on Thurrock Council's controversial Covid-19 related road safety scheme which has seen some roads across the borough have 20mph speed limits imposed have been given a slap on the wrist by the authority for not adhering to safety guidelines themselves.

W & H Roads Ltd from Southend is one of a number of contractors carrying out work, which includes new street signs, lighting and road bumps as the council attempts to make parts of the borough more amenable to cyclists and pedestrians.

Various points around Thurrock, including South Ockendon, East Tilbury and Stanford roads where there is a rail crossing, have seen the new speed limits introduced and all the accompanying paraphernalia installed.

All the work is supposed to be temporary as the council evaluates the impact of its scheme, which has been funded by the government to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds - though the council has consistently refused to give breakdowns on what has been spent where - and to who!

Earlier this week new signs installed on London Road in Stanford-le-Hope were connected to power but a snapshot of one worker from W&H - hiding his Hi-Vis jacket behind a large black umbrella and his vehicle dangerously parked at a junction (and churning up a verge) - caused consternation.

Thurrock Council, which itself has not shone under examination from the government about how it is spending taxpayers' cash has commented through its transport portfolio holder Cllr Ben Maney who said: "Thurrock Council agrees its terms and conditions with all of its contractors in line with the standards and policies the council has in place.

"This includes the terms and conditions for appropriate behaviour on the public highway, which are issued as part of the Term Maintenance Contract agreed between all contractors and the council.

"Action has been taken to confirm this contractor will adhere to the appropriate standards in the future.

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"Contractors are not exempt from the law and will be held liable for any damage caused to our verges or pathways when completing their work. The council holds its contractors to a high standard for all work completed on its behalf and will continue to investigate claims where these are not met."

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