THURROCK Council's ruling Reform group says it has 'hit the ground running' after announcing the launch of a schedule of work on green spaces.

The group says areas in Tilbury and Blackshots have seen significant grass-cutting this week, with many more green spaces set for maintenance as part of Reform's civic recovery efforts.

Cabinet member for Regeneration and Environment, Cllr Tom Kelly said: "We've hit the ground running and reset the Council with energy and a clear purpose – deliver value-for-money frontline services while renewing civic pride.

"The team will be out across the borough in the coming weeks and months, continuing their great work and ensuring our green spaces are in top condition and able to be enjoyed by all of Thurrock's residents.

"Thurrock Reform are proud of our borough and have made it a priority to reflect this in its appearance."

And in a separate announcement the council says it has launched a programme of work to tackle potholes across the borough.

A release from the authority says: "Two initiatives will see teams blitzing the borough's road network to find and repair potholes, with thousands of defects set to be fixed before the cold winter months arrive.

"Road repair teams will conduct a road-by-road 'find and fix' programme to carry out pothole repairs.

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"In late June a 12 week programme of Jet Patching smaller road surface defects will take place.

"Jet patching is a quick and convenient way to repair potholes and cracks, without having to close roads. It sees teams blasting a mixture of stones and bitumen into a pothole to create a hard wearing and smooth surface in a matter of minutes. The whole operation is so fast that roads do not need to be closed, and traffic can keep moving. It is expected that during that 12-week programme around 3,000 potholes and cracks will be repaired on the borough's roads.

"Between the two schemes thousands of potholes will be repaired across Thurrock Council's road network."

Council leader Cllr Richard Bingley said: "Potholes are a modern scourge and something which, at one time or another, affects and annoys every motorist.

"These two schemes will see a blitz across the borough's roads, eradicating thousands of potholes and creating smoother journeys for all residents.

"They bring together the best of innovative road repair technology and good old-fashioned know-how to make our roads better for all of us.

"You will most likely see our teams out and about working at some point this summer as they travel the length and breadth of the borough to find and fix road defects."

A summer potholes repair campaign is not new in Thurrock.

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Under the past Labour and Conservative administrations there have been regular initiatives to try and combat the problems.

In 2022 the Conservatives released an upbeat statement promoting the success of its 'innovative' jet pack programme to patch the borough's potholes.

The Tories waxed lyrically about jet pack filling in 2022.

https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/reinventing-the-pothole-repair-thurrock-council-seizes-on-39new-initiative39-with-dramatic-claims-that-appear-to-forget-past-39glories39

Last year Labour also offered up a eulogy on its 'new' pothole filling programme.

https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/council-will-be-jet-packing-in-road-repairs-267458

Thurrock Nub News asked for a resume of the work carried out over recent years on pothole filling and received the following response: "Last year there were 1,956 jet patch repairs carried out over an eight-week period in Thurrock.

"This year the jet patching teams will be working over 12 weeks, starting from late June, which is why it is expected they will carry out around 3,000 repairs."