THERE'S been good news today on environmental issues in the borough in the wake of two incidents of environmental damage.

Last month Thurrock NubNews reported on residents' concerns after trees were felled by workers to create access to power lines between the Warren fishing lakes in Stanford-le-Hope and Mucking.

(https://thurrock.nub.news/n/anger-as-rural-trees-are-hacked-down)

Resident Nike Dobson led the criticism on social media, saying: "Why have so many trees have been cut down in an area that is supposed to be a protected conservation area?

"It seems slightly careless and heavy handed to cut down so many trees that have been there for so long. It has absolutely ruined the natural beauty of the area."

And a couple of days later local naturalist and photographer Nick Lay expressed concern after he discovered damage to a waterway near East Tilbury which he had been looking after for many years as a safe haven for water voles.

(https://thurrock.nub.news/n/wildlife-habitat-destroyed-by-mystery-workers)

He feared their habitat has been destroyed forever.

Now there are upbeat developments following on from both stories.

Thurrock Council has considered what happened at Stanford and, while pointing out it was not responsible for the dame, has pledged to help the local environment.

A statement from the authority today (Wednesday, 11 December) says: "Thurrock Council has recognised that trees are important in the borough and has agreed a tree planting strategy, which has introduced policies including like-for-like tree replacement on public land.

"During 2019/20, 66 new trees will be planted to replace those removed in the past three years.

"From 2021, the council will replace one for one every tree that is removed, which represents approximately 21 trees per year.

"The trees cut down between Mucking and Warren Fishing Lakes were not on council land and the council was not responsible for this action.

"Representatives from UK Power Networks and Essex Wildlife Trust are in discussions for future environmental work at the site."

And Mr Lay's worst fears for his water vole habitat have not materialised - and he has discovered what happened.

He says: "It turns out the work was done under a water vole license by an ecology consultantancy. The reason for the clearing is that a flood bund has planning permission to be built across the channel at this point.

"To avoid water voles being harmed the channel for 50m will eventually be totally cleared to make it unsuitable habitat and voles should move upstream and down out of the footprint of the construction.

"I was relieved to see the banks are still intact, scrub removed by hand, not pulled out with a bucket, and that the plants removed from the mid channel were already past the seasonal best.

"I think they've done it as well as possible under the circumstances.

"The voles will already have stored a lot of food underground and I heard one feeding while there."

However, he is still seeking assurances about the site, adding: "I'm asking for more details and want to know what compensation will be made for the lost section of ditch.

"Brutal as it looked, not as much of a disaster for voles as it may initially appear. I will press for gains for water voles from this work."