News in Thurrock

THURROCK Council and councillors in Tilbury have been criticised for a lack of action and the state of parts of the town.

Disgrunted resident Allen Bennet has highlighted the level of litter and dumping of rubbish on streets and car parks in the Riverside ward, saying: "The ward is in a terrible state! Where are our councillors Allen Mayes and Bukky Okunade?

GRAYS Athletic will be hoping to boost their play-off aspirations in the Isthmian North's match of the day at Stowmarket this afternoon (Saturday, 12 March).

The Blues travel to Greens Meadow in fourth place, to face the Suffolk side who sit second.

THURROCK Council's leading councillor for central services has complemented members of staff within the authority for their 'outstanding' levels of service to residents.

A statement issued by the council today (Friday, 11 March) says: "Thurrock Council's Customer Services has once again been recognised for their outstanding work in supporting residents, after recently being awarded the Customer Contact Association (CCA) Global Standard Version 7.

AN appeal has gone out for volunteers to help a Thurrock branch of a charity that helps older, lonely people.

Reengae has proved a hugely successful organbisation int he borough, helping brighten the lives of dozens of people by hosting tea parties and other evetns and, particularly duiring lockdown, making sure people isolated in their homes do not think they are forgotten.

THURROCK Mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick, has planted a commemorative tulip tree today (Friday, 11 March) to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Cllr Shinnick planted the new tree at Grays Town Park, Grays, in front of members of the community including the Friends of Grays Town Park group.

MOTORISTS and local residents are reminded of another major A13 closure over the weekend, starting tonight (Friday, 11 March) from 9am.

Both carriageways will be closed until 5am on Monday, 14 March between the A1089 (Tilbury) and the A128 (Orsett Cock) junctions for road surfacing works.

TILBURY'S International Cruise Terminal has a new visitor where a showcase event will be held today (Friday, 11March).

It will celebrate the launch of Virgin Voyages' second Lady ship, Valiant Lady.

There was a very special performance at the Thameside Theatre in Grays this morning .

PURFLEET-on-Thames Community Forum has registered to take part in the Queens Platinum Jubilee with a beacon lighting event on Thursday, 2 June. It will be one of 1,500 beacon lightings around the UK and Commonwealth.

The event will take place on the green next to the Royal Hotel and will start at 4pm with a street party. A number of live entertainments are planned, live music; brass band, gospel choir, silhouette artist, a bird of prey display, face painters, stilt walkers, theatre, carnival mascots, local flag display, bugler bagpiper, beacon lighting and a spectacular finale.

THURROCK Council's Labour opposition leader Cllr John Kent has questioned the integrity of the authority's ruling Conservative group and the walls of silence they have built around their controversial borrowing to invest policy.

Cllr Kent says: "At the recent budget setting it was confirmed that the council's overall borrowing borrowing is expected to rise to over one and a half billion pounds in the next year, meaning £23 million will be spent on debt repayments.