News in Thurrock

OUR vibrant local community in Thurrock is a busy and positive place to be – with so much going on.

We want to help you share the good news through Nub News – and you can use our Community Chat page to make contact with friends, neighbours and fellow residents.

FOR the second-year in succession Thurrock Council has been shortlisted as one of just six finalists for Local Authority of the Year in The Municipal Journal (MJ) Local Government Achievement Awards 2020.

Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: "Being shortlisted two years in a row for such a prestigious award is an extremely significant achievement and shows that we are going above and beyond in serving the borough and its residents and businesses.

SMUGGLERS who attempted a 'rare and sophisticated' method of sneaking £15 million of cocaine out of Central America were thwarted by the vigilance of customs officers at Thurrock's London Gateway Port.

The drug haul was found in a 40ft temperature-controlled container full of bananas that had been shipped from Costa Rica and had been landed at the local port prior to its scheduled further distribution to Germany.

A MAN is to appear virtually at Southend Magistrates' Court today (Thursday 23 July) in connection with the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals last October.

Eamonn Harrison, 23, of Mayobridge in Northern Ireland, was extradited yesterday and has been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, one count of conspiracy to traffic people and another count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

RESIDENTS in Grays and wider Thurrock have been promised they will be included in future consultations as work continues on a major refurbishment of the area around Grays rail station – which will include a new underpass and open space.

There has been some criticism from residents about a lack of engagement on the keynote project and concerns ere reflected in a recent meeting of the council's transport overview and scrutiny committee.

THERE has been early morning disruption to train services through Thurrock due to damaged overhead power cables.

Operator c2c says its crews have been working to fix the problems but an early estimate that the service would be up and running by 6pm proved optimistic and passengers have now been warned that delays and cancellations could continue until 8am at least.

THURROCK Council has announced a change to the way brown kitchen and garden waste bins will be collected from next week – and the leading councillor for the environment has apologized a second time for problems with the refuse collection service in recent weeks.

However, Cllr Aaron Watkins has paid tribute to the efforts of the bin collection teams and praised their dedication and efforts during a difficult period for the department. And he has also thanked residents for their patience.

A PROPERTY developer has returned to Thurrock Council with a bid to build more homes on the former St Clere's Golf Club site.

The aim is to demolish two existing barn style buildings and the construct of a replacement building containing five apartments.

CHILDREN'S author Dan Walker, creator of Sky Thieves, Desert Thieves and The Light Hunters fantasy adventure stories, has paid tribute to the children of Stanford-le-Hope's Arthur Bugler school.

Last month school pupil Lenny Tucker was announced the Silver Winner in the BBC 500 Words 2020. This was a huge achievement for Lenny and everyone at Arthur Bugler Primary was bursting with pride for the young writer.

A THURROCK-based online radio station has pledged that the music will never stop thanks to funding from the Arts Council 's England Emergency Response Fund.

Quest Music Services, based at the Thameside Complex in Grays, is to host a series of live streamed music events from their cultural community hub through Thames Delta Radio.