RESIDENTS were unable to get to and from their homes in vehicles have expressed relief after a stranded lorry was removed today (Sunday, 19 January)

The fully-laden foreign-registered truck slipped into a ditch on narrow Biggin Lane, close to Tilbury around 7.45am on Friday (17 January).

Residents had approached both police and Thurrock Council for help to drag the vehicle out but both organisations said they could help, even though the road was impassible and emergency vehicles could not get to nearby homes if required.

Chadwell councillor Sara Muldoney confirmed the council could not help, saying: "This stuck lorry has been reported to the out of hours team at the council, but they don't have the resources to help with this over the weekend."

"Nobody seems to want to help, and the driver says a tow truck from his firm will not be here until Monday," said a resident this morning (Sunday). "People may not be able to get to work!"

However, this afternoon it was reported a tow vehicle arrived and was able to free the lorry.

Residents, who supported the driver as he spent two nights in his cab, have called on the council to quickly repair some damage caused to the road.