News in Thurrock

AFTER several hours of deliberation on its verdict in the case of a Grays woman charged with killing her mother a jury will return to Basildon Crown Court on Monday in an attempt to reach a decision.

After five days of hearing evidence in the case of Cheryl Banks, 60, of Lenmore Avenue, who has admitted killing her mother but denies murder claiming the act was manslaughter by diminished responsibility, the jury retired to pass judgement today (Friday, 25 February).

POLICE mounted an operation to close down a cannabis-growing operation in Grays after suspicions were raised by neighbours - who reported 'there has been a whiff of fresh plants in the road for months…..'

A significant number of officers were involved in the operation on Grove Road yesterday (Wednesday, 23 February) and Network Power workers were involved in helping sort the lighting and heating issues inside the house.

PLANNING officers have given the green light to knocking down the former Corringham Police station and building a four-storey block of 34 flats.

The decision comes after permission was granted, despite considerable local opposition for four apartment blocks comprising 95 flats on the nearby Springhouse Club site, also in the heart of the town.

THURROCK Council planning officers have vetoed plans for a new church on a borough industrial site, saying design, parking and noise problems make the scheme a no go!

The scheme was put forward by the Grace to Grace International Church for a unit on Towers Road, on the Globe Industrial Estate in Grays.

TONIGHT (Thursday, 24 February) will see the last in a number of consecutive overnight weekday closures of the Orsett Cock roundabout as part of the a13 widening project, but before things ease of motorists and residents are reminded of a weekend closure coming up.

This week's closure for resurfacing week will be followed by a full weekend closure from 9pm Friday, 25 February to 5am Monday, 28 February.

THE first of the borough's new trees set to be planted in Thurrock to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee has been put in place in South Ockendon with ward councillors Sue Shinnick and Andrew Jefferies picking up spades to help it take root.

The new tree has been planted on the green near Ockendon station.

A MAN is in a 'life threatening' condition after being assaulted, reportedly with a knife, in Grays last night (Wednesday, 24 February)

Police remain at the scene of the incident in Charles Street, which took place around 8.30pm.

LEADING Conservatives have slammed Labour rivals who they accuse of 'doing everything in their power to stop additional funding for vulnerable people'.

The criticism was delivered after Conservative-run Thurrock council passed the budget for the new financial year, which includes a total local council tax rise of 2.99 per cent which the Conservatives pledge is ring-fenced for children's and adult social care.

A PETITION from residents of a Grays road where parking has become hugely problematic following the demolition of the former Grays Adult Community College and other works was handed in at last night's meeting of Thurrock Council (Wednesday, 23 February).

It was delivered by resident Kevin Lamb who told councillors the residents of Richmond Road in Grays were at their wits end over problems and could no longer park near their homes.

Opposition plea fell on deaf Conservative ears and the new payscales were passed. .