THURROCK Council says there is nothing to stop lorries parking up at a layby where there have been two serious accidents just weeks apart.

Several HGVs can be found parked in the minor road off the A128 Brentwood Road most days, some drivers using it for the cafe down there and others just to rest.

However, people coming off the Orsett Cock roundabout often don’t see them pulling back on to to the A128 until it is too late because the road bends slightly.

Last month the Gazette spoke to Lauren Martiney, 19, from Grays, who said she was “lucky to be alive” after her car went under a lorry which was pulling out of the layby.

Despite being covered head to toe in glass and dust, Lauren managed to walk away from the accident with just a hand injury.

She told us something needed to be done about the road before there was another serious accident.

Last Monday an elderly male driver had to be treated by paramedics after his car collided with a lorry on the same stretch of road.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “A road crash occurred on the A128 near the Orsett Cock roundabout at 6.30pm, when a gold Ford Focus and a lorry struck each other.

“The elderly male driver experienced breathing difficulties at the scene.

“A section of the road was closed for around an hour while the vehicles were recovered.”

One driver who uses the A128 every day, who did not want to be named, said: “Something needs to be done about this before someone is killed.

“You’ve got lorries pulling out slowly from a blind bend, trying to negotiate the traffic from two directions on a really busy road.

“Why this is allowed is beyond me.”

Cllr Angie Gaywood, Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, said: “Currently the HGVs are not deemed to be parking illegally and while there is no opportunity for enforcement, I have asked officers to keep an eye on the area if HGVs do park illegally. “However, I will flag the problem with the regeneration and planning team and request moving forward that capital expenditure can be considered to assist with parking restrictions and possible restructure of this area.

“I will also flag to the local neighbourhood policing team regarding dangerous driving issues.”