News in Thurrock

FAILURES by Network Rail and a civil engineering company it contracted to carry out work have been identified as the cause of a 'near miss' incident in Thurrock – when a speeding commuter train was just six second away from crashing into a concrete lorry at a level crossing.

The incident happened in March this year at the Mucking automatic half barrier level crossing in the east of the borough. The crossing is next to a power substation where construction work was being carried out and as it attempted to reverse into the site, the concrete lorry straddled the lines and became entangled with a barrier that was coming down because of the approaching c2c train.

THURROCK has been named as one of the most polluted towns in the country and living there is the equivalent of smoking almost 140 cigarettes a year, according to a leading charity.

The British Heart Foundation has said Government data ranks Thurrock as the seventh worst town in the country for pollution and estimates show that breathing in the air is the equivalent of smoking 138 cigarettes a year.

A WARD councillor has called on residents to have their say on a planning proposal that could see a residential village for people over 55 created on the site of a local golf course.

Orsett's Cllr Sue Little says it is important that all views are considered when Thurrock Council comes to make a decision on the plans at Langdon hills Golf Club.

A BOROUGH football has done its bit to help homeless and deprived children at Christmas.

Teams from Tilbury Football Club have been collecting presents which have now been donated to needy children.

I have recently published the above book, written by the late Randal Bingley (former curator of Thurrock Museum Service). South Ockendon Hospital played an important part of village life from 1932 to its closure in 1994 - 25 years ago, this year.

IN the summer of 1932, Matron Sadie Butler and a handful of staff welcomed the first residents to what was to become South Ockendon Hospital.

IT'S that time of the year again and local community groups are wheeling out their sleighs as Santa tours the borough.

In Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham Rotary East Thurrock will be taking to the streets for the first time this year tomorrow (Monday, 9 December) and then nights right up until Christmas.

RESIDENTS in Aveley have expressed their delight after Thurrock Council agreed to donate trees to improve local parks.

Last month the Friends of Aveley and Kenningtons Parks expressed their delight when the council offered to plant a tree, prompting a message of thanks and the plea: 'Hopefully it's the start of lots more to come'.

SIX generous Thurrock businesses have got together to make Christmas special for three deserving borough families.

Grayers Graphics, AB Installs Ltd, DF Roofing, JVH Building Services, FBS Motor Salvage and Howgates estate agents have each donated £600 to a collective fund.

THURROCK Council responded to the latest breakdown at the controversial Buckingham Hill Road and Stanford Road (A1013 ) junction this afternoon (Sunday, 8 December).

The junction has been the bane of lives for Thurrock motorists for many months after new permanent lights were installed as part of the planning permission granted to Persimmon Homes to build new homes in East Tilbury.

A TIP-off from a Thurrock Council enforcement officer helped Essex Police uncover a cannabis growing operation at a borough car wash.

Four people were arrested and subsequently bailed pending further investigation after police officers raided the site on Friday (6 December) after being contacted by a council environmental enforcement officer.