News in Thurrock

LAKESIDE shopping centre was evacuated late this afternoon (Saturday, 20 November) following a power cut.

There were widespread and intermittent disruptions to power supply across west Thurrock this afternoon. Apart from Lakeside, the large Tesco superstore on the adjacent retail park was one of several businesses affected.

A MAN was injured and another arrested after a disturbance in Corringham last night.

A police statement says: "We were called to a disturbance on Gordon Road, Corringham, around 7.20pm on Friday 19 November. It was reported that a car had hit a pedestrian.

A CALL has been made for the government to bail out 'floundering' councils – including Thurrock where union officials are battling to save the jobs of up to 250 people.

This week Thurrock Nub News exclusively reported on a meeting where its finance chief confirmed between 200 and 250 people currently in work would lose their jobs in the coming months as the council tried to cut a huge deficit in its budget.

SECURITY camera video footage has emerged of a group of three youngsters attacking a house in East Tilbury village with a firework.

The youths dropped the firework through the front door of the house which belonged to the mother of Peter Catton. She was not at home at the time of the incident, which was on Thursday, 18 November.

FOR the first time in some weekends borough non-League sides are all in action today (Saturday, 20 November) – and all the matches could be pivotal one for managers with points to prove.

At Rookery Hill the new East Thurrock managerial partnership of Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace will be taking their first match in charge when Corinthian Casuals are the visitors.

A RANGE of financial incentives which make it economically attractive for businesses to locate within the newly created Thames Freeport, much of it being in Thurrock, will apply from today (Friday, 19 November).

Anyone setting up a new manufacturing, clean energy or logistics business at the Thames Freeport will be able to access economic benefits which are available across the three tax sites at Ford Dagenham, the Port of Tilbury and London Gateway's Logistics Park. The substantial sites are ready for development now.

THE A13 was blocked westbound following a major crash near the Pitsea junction this morning (Friday, 19 November).

The multiple vehicle incident happened at around 10am and created tailbacks into Benfleet, on the A130 and onto the Canvey Island link road.

MORE than a quarter of hospital staff in the wider south Essex region, including hospitals in Thurrock and Basildon's main hospital, who take sick leave have mental health and stress-related problems, it has been revealed.

Latest figures for the Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust show 26 per cent of staff on sick leave have mental health related sickness.

THURROCK Council plans to deploy 'civic office guards' and coordinate a police presence in Grays to protect councillors from the possibility of confrontation of a protest from residents and children opposing the planned closure of the Thameside Theatre at a meeting next week.

In the wake of growing public disquiet about the council's plans to close the Thameside Complex, which includes Grays library and the borough's civic museum as well as the theatre, Thurrock Nub News understands pressure is being brought to bear by a number of Conservative councillors on the authority to cancel Wednesday's (24 November) full council meeting when the issue of the Thameside closure will be prominent.

TODAY marks the second anniversary of Thurrock Nub News and on our birthday it's worth pointing out some facts about Thurrock's local news service – the only one based in the borough.

Since our launch on 18 November, 2019, we have been delighted to publish 5,547 news stories to date, many of them exclusives and others that have proved hugely important in holding local democracy to account and ensuring the best interests of Thurrock residents are represented.