A THURROCK councillor has spoken of his disappointment after being given incomplete information and false promises by council staff over the unkempt roads on an estate in his ward.

Cllr Shane Ralph has echoed the concerns of many residents of the Crux estate in Corringham where roads and paths are blighted by weeds – which as well as making the area look untidy, in some places they are potential trip hazards.

The issue has attracted comment on social media for some time and last week Thurrock Nub News raised residents' concerns with the council.

Cllr Ralph did the same and we were both told that the matter was in hand and that paths and roads on the estate had been sprayed and treated with weedkiller.

But a visit to some roads today (Friday, 8 July) proved that not to be the case.

In response to our questions about the state of the roads and paths, continuity of the service and if there was any truth in social media speculation about the type of weedkiller used, Thurrock Council responded with a statement today – a week after the questions were posed.

We asked: "Has weedkilling and maintenance of the Crux estate been suspended and if so why" and the council said: "There has been no suspension of weedkilling and maintenance in the Crux estate."

Secondly, in response to suggestions made on social media, we asked: "Does the council wilfully use a weedkilling material that it knows is toxic and dangerous to pets (and possibly children) when wet?" and were told: "The council would never be wilful in applying a weedkiller or any chemical, it follows all applicable guidance in applying weedkiller and only uses products approved as safe by the Health and Safety Executive."

Finally, we asked: "What remedial action is planned to smarten up the Crux estate?"

The council's response was: "A growth spurt caused by recent extremely warm weather means that additional resources have been put in place on the Crux Estate.

"The estate is also maintained through regular ongoing work which is resourced accordingly depending on the season and the impact of weather conditions.

"We are confident this will resolve the issue."

Cllr Ralph told us he had received assurances that the work had taken place across all the streets and paths, but he was 'disappointed' to find out that was not the case.

For example, on Oxwich Close it was clear no spraying had taken place in recent times.

Cllr Ralph told Nub News: "It's extremely disappointing to be told by officers that the Crux Estate has been sprayed then to come out here and find that it has been done and we've got weeds in bloom. It's more like a nature reserve at the moment."

After his visit to the Crux paths and streets, where it was clear that some spraying had taken place, but apparently in random patches, Cllr Ralph contacted officers again to express his displeasure.

He then told Nub News: "I am assured that teams will be deployed and this will all be done by Monday."