News

Drivers reminded of first full A13 weekend road closure

23 August 2019
Drivers are reminded that the A13 will be closed between Orsett and Stanford-le-Hope on the weekend of 30 August to 2 September as road widening works continue.
Thurrock Council is widening a 2.3 mile section of the A13 from two to three lanes in both directions between the A128 (Orsett Cock roundabout) and the A1014 (The Manorway, Stanford-le-Hope) in what is one of the largest local authority-managed road schemes in the country.

Celebrating a summer of fun at Grangewaters

21 August 2019
Families and young people came together this week to celebrate a programme of exciting activities taking place at Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre this summer.
Throughout the summer holidays, young people have been enjoying activities at the centre including kayaking, paddle boarding, climbing and biking. This August has also seen the launch of a series of Yacht Club sessions which aim to teach young people the knowledge and skills to safely sail a yacht.

Party marks East Tilbury library's re-opening

20 August 2019
Celebrate East Tilbury Hub and library at a special space-themed launch party and family day later this month.
On Saturday 31 August, children and adults can join library staff and the Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Terry Piccolo, at the newly-refurbished hub, library and Bata Heritage Centre from 10am to 3pm. This event marks the library's re-opening, which took place earlier this year on Tuesday 23 April.

Record number of Thurrock students receive A-Level and vocational results

19 August 2019
Thurrock students are celebrating another successful year of A-Level and vocational results after the provisional results were announced on Thursday 15 August.
This year, the number of students taking their A-Levels increased by 31% compared to 2018 and there was a 61% increase in students taking vocational qualifications this year in comparison to 2018.

Fun-goers enjoy a day out in Purfleet despite the rain

16 August 2019
Wet weather didn’t deter residents and visitors from coming to this year’s Purfleet Fun Day.
Children and adults joined in the fun at the free event on Wednesday 14 August at Centurion Way, Purfleet. There was face-painting, lunch bags and a tombola, as well as advice and information from Thurrock Council teams – including Trading Standards and the Community Safety Partnership – Essex Police and local community groups. The Parks Engagement team was on hand to encourage residents to get active and make the most of the borough's green spaces.

Council pledges to continue good work with mental health

15 August 2019
Thurrock Council and local NHS partners have been recognised for promoting positive mental health by joining Public Health England's (PHE) Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health.
On Friday 9 August, the council's Health and Wellbeing Board united with other local councils, organisations and schools in signing a public declaration designed to help communities support good mental health and wellbeing.

Thameside Theatre panto star announced!

14 August 2019
Thameside Theatre has announced its star for this year's fantastic pantomime will be... Wes Nelson!
The TV heart-throb appeared in the ITV2 reality series Love Island in 2018, and also Dancing on Ice 2019, where he finished as runner-up.
This ITV hunk is set to mark his debut pantomime performance by playing the role of Dick Whittington at the Thameside Theatre.

Milestone property improved as part of Transforming Homes

14 August 2019
Works have been completed on a milestone property as Thurrock Council's programme to refurbish all council homes in the borough continues.
Wates Living Space – one of 2 contractors working on council's Transforming Homes scheme – has celebrated the completion of works at its 5,000th property. The home in Elmway, Stifford Clays, has benefited from a replacement kitchen, a new adapted bathroom, upgraded electrics and a new front door.

Clamp down on nuisance laughing gas activity

13 August 2019
A new joint initiative has been launched between Thurrock Council’s Environmental Enforcement officers and Essex Police targeting car parks being littered with nitrous oxide canisters – pictured below.
Operation Adaminaby began at the weekend (Friday 9 August and Saturday 10 August) and aims to tackle anti-social behaviour and activities linked to discarding nitrous oxide – also known as laughing gas – canisters in car parks across the borough.
Officers will issue:

Landlord fined over appalling conditions of shared house

13 August 2019
A South Ockendon landlord has been ordered to pay more than £7,000 after failing to provide adequate living conditions for his tenants.
Alex Oladineji Olayinka was found guilty of violating 6 regulations designed to protect tenants living in a house in multiple occupation (HMO) and failing to undertake remedial works to a property in Foxglove Road, South Ockendon at a trial at Southend Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (7 August).

Sign-up for Thurrock News – our monthly email newsletter.

Media enquiries

Journalists and media professionals can make enquiries from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, 01375 652 017 or at communicationsteam@thurrock.gov.uk.

For emergency media enquiries outside of these times, phone 07912 782 470.

The communications team email inbox is not monitored outside of office hours, so email media enquiries received out-of-hours may not be answered until the next working weekday.

We advise our staff, when approached directly by a member of the media, not to answer questions themselves but to refer you to the communications team who will provide our response.

We do not normally comment on individual cases or enquiries relating to council staff.

How can we make this page easier to use?