News in Thurrock

THURROCK'S Adult Community College will be offering the chance next week for residents to sign up for a free course that will help them navigate the internet safely.

Tuesday, 9 February is Safer Internet Day and brings the opportunity to join one of the free digital skills, adult training classes available at the college this spring.

FOLLOWING the conclusion of National Storytelling Week today (Saturday, 6 February) Thurrock Council is hoping local residents will continue to access its services through lockdown.

Libraries across the borough may be closed but access to books and reading is still available.

A THURROCK independent councillor says he welcomes news that elections now seem likely to go ahead this year and he is ready for the challenge.

Thurrock Nub News reported this morning (Friday, 5 February) that the government was minded to press ahead with local elections and that was confirmed as the day progressed.

THURROCK Council leader Rob Gledhill has not given up on the fight to see the authority become part of a new south Essex partnership of councils.

Cllr Gledhill is the chair of the Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) which is supporting a proposal to create a new 'super council' across the south of Essex. Thurrock Nub News reported on the plan in July last year.

THURROCK Council has back-tracked and revoked a parking ticket given to a borough man who spent the night by his dying dad's bedside and then let his allotted parking time lapse as he comforted mum after death.

Last month Thurrock Nub News told of the story that unfolded in Argyll Street in Grays - and the council's refusal to back down even when told of the tragic circumstances.

THE consortium promoting the Thames Freeport in Thurrock lodged its bid with the government today for a digitally-linked economic zone connecting Ford's world-class Dagenham engine plant, the ports at London Gateway and Tilbury, large development employment areas and many river communities in need of regeneration.

The bid was endorsed by borough MP Jackie Doyle-Price who said: "The Government is committed to tackling deprivation wherever it occurs. Thurrock is the ports capital of the UK, but it's also among the country's top 25 most skills-deprived areas.

CORRINGHAM residents, staff and parents from Graham James Academy and councillors recently participated in a virtual public engagement event held by the NHS, Thurrock Council and the voluntary sector to hear all about the plans for the new Corringham Integrated Medical Centre (IMC).

The new centre, which is owned by NELFT* and is being built by Neilcott Construction on the Sorrells, has now started building works and is due to open in spring 2022.

THE region could be set for snow this weekend as the Met Office has upgraded a severe weather warning.

Forecasters are warning there is a '90 per cent probability' of severe cold weather between 9am on Saturday and 9pm on Wednesday.

THERE are significant queues on the A13 westbound after an early morning crash at the Five Bells roundabout.

Emergency services were still clearing the accident and recovering vehicles at 7.45am.

THE BBC has reported local elections in May are set to go ahead despite concerns they might spike another surge in Covid-19.

It had widely been predicted that elections would be delayed until October, particularly after a survey last month of senior local government officers showed the vast majority had serious concerns.