A MOTION was passed to complete the verge hardening projects in parts of the borough after a petition was handed in to the council yesterday evening.

Councillor Tom Kelly, Tory representative for Little Thurrock Rectory handed in a petition of 63 signatures from residents of Lenmore Avenue and Rectory Road urging the council to fix their roads.

The motion called on the council to complete the verge hardening projects which have already been started in Little Thurrock Rectory, Stifford Clays and Aveley.

However, whilst all councillors backed the motion, some raised concerns about funding.

Leader of the council, John Kent, said: “It’s a motion we will all like to support. We all have verges in our wards that can benefit from this kind of treatment.

“The issue is funding. To complete the verge hardenings in Lenmore Avenue alone would cost £75,000. We frankly just do not have that kind of money.”

However, Councillor Kelly insisted that if the motion was passed he expected the council’s full backing.

He said: “If this motion is supported I fully expect this council to work hard to get these roads finished off.”

The motion was agreed on unanimously.