News in Thurrock

RESIDENTS and motorists are reminded of the closure this weekend of a section of the a13 in both directions.

Both carriegeways will be closed between the A1089 (Tilbury Dock Approach Road) and the A128 (Orsett Cock) junctions.

TWO locally-based businesses have saved this year's Christmas lights in South Ockendon.

The local community forum had been forced to make the tough decision that it could not finance the cost of the Christmas street lights and Christmas tree year.

A WOMAN living in Grays, Martha Ernest, 41, of Davall House, Argent Street, received a 17 week prison term after admitting a number of thefts - though she was spared going behind bars as Basildon magistrates suspended the sentence for 12 months.

Ernest admitted three charges of stealing goods from Tesco in West Thurrock, while she was serving a previous community order imposed for other offences of theft.

A SHOW that fundraises for the forces charity Help For Heroes will be available to watch for free at Thurrock's Thameside Theatre next month.

Total Productions, who promote the touring 'Rock for Heroes' production which will be staged at the Grays theatre on Orsett Road on Saturday, 6 November have announced 250 free tickets.

A MAN who assaulted a Thurrock Council civil enforcement officer when he was given a parking fine has been given an 18 month community order after appearing before Basildon Magistrates Court.

Ryan Anthony Lee, 32, of Plymouth, Chafford Hundred, was ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service work, attend 19 Thinking Skills sessions and address his criminal behaviour through a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement after being found guilty of racially and religiously aggravated assault and harassment.

RESIDENTS and councillors have been celebrating the success of a campaign to improve play facilities on a popular borough recreation area.

Funds have now been committed to build a new playground on Orsett Heath, a move welcomed by local Labour ward councillor Cllr Sara Muldowney who told Nub News: "Having decent playgrounds for our children to play in has always been a high priority when talking to residents online and on the doorstep, with many feeling that Chadwell St Mary had been overlooked for funding in the past."

SHIP watchers on the Thames in Thurrock had an unusual sighting today (Wednesday, 27 October) when a vessel planned to be more at home among the icecaps than the Thames estuary passed through.

The polar vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough passed Thurrock on its way to London's Ice Worlds Festival this at Greenwich this weekend.

A WARRANT for the arrest of a former Thurrock councillor was issued after he failed to appear in court.

James Baker, 36, of Alexandra Way, East Tilbury, who was a ward councillor for the village from May 2015 to May 2019, was due to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 21 October.

THURROCK MP Jackie Doyle-Price has welcomed today's budget announcements by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, saying it offers a boost for the lower paid.

And she has also welcomed news in the budget that Thames Freeport will be able to begin initial operations from November.

THERE was some disruption on roads accessing the Dartford Crossing in the latest action by the Insulate Britain campaign.

Traffic delays were initially reported to be minor as police moved quickly to deal with the incident centred on the A206 Crossways Boulevard.