Metal thieves put lives in danger at Wharf (From Thurrock Gazette)
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Metal thieves put lives in danger at Wharf
3:40pm Wednesday 11th April 2012 in News
John Kent at Grays Town Wharf
IT IS feared damaged fencing around Grays Town Wharf may not be repaired, putting lives at risk.
Steel cables have been removed from in between most of the metal posts at the Bellway Homes riverside development, which is at the bottom of the High Street.
The fencing is the responsibility of Bellway Homes and protects people from a steep and potentially dangerous plunge into the Thames.
The Gazette contacted Thurrock Council leader John Kent, who arranged for the council to carry out temporary repairs by threading blue rope through the posts.
But Meadfleet, the company which manages the development on behalf of Bellway, is now seeking advice as to whether it has to repair the fence at all.
A spokesman said: “We are currently seeking independent health and safety advice on this matter.
“The wire is regularly being stolen and rather than continually passing the cost of replacement on to the residents we are trying to find out if it is actually necessary.
“The forthcoming independent advice will confirm this.”
Cllr Kent said the fence needs to be permanently repaired and is confident any assessment will come to the same conclusion.
He said: “Although the responsibility is Bellway’s, it was important the council took action to make it safe, which we have done.
“Anyone can see it is dangerous.
“You’ve only got to look at it to see there’s a sheer drop down into the river.
“I am confident any assessment will verify that.
“The issue is coming up with a permanent solution that isn’t open to theft.
“This could be by using a different material such as strengthened tensile nylon, which is pretty much worthless to thieves.”
Cllr Kent slammed the people who stole the steel cables, and said they “don’t care about the real danger they are causing”.
He also thanked the Gazette, and the resident who contacted us, Paul Patch, 60, from Grays, for bringing the matter to the council’s attention.
Comments(12)
Thurrock Trojan
says...
12:38am Thu 12 Apr 12
The police aren't interested and the residents don't seem to care.
Bernard 87
says...
9:30am Thu 12 Apr 12
On a serious note, what do the police actually do in Grays. At the moment it seems very little. I am a big supporter of the police but allowing things like this to happen so close to a police station is ridiculous. The council need to stand their ground and get the management company to pay for it to be replaced maybe with an alternative type of fencing which is harder to nick.
townwharfer
says...
10:28am Thu 12 Apr 12
Secondly, we are also going to have to pay for the pipes that are currently being stolen on the development - probably by the same people.
The police should start doing their job and patrolling and catching people like this. Having reported the theft of the wire previously to the police, I don't see why I and the fellow owners should have to pay for it to again be replaced. Perhaps the council and bellways actually need to look at an alternative to wire fencing - perhaps a brick wall like the rest of the properties along Argent Street?
Also, in respect to Thurrock Trojan there are a handful of residents that do care about the property and have done since it was built, but unfortunately they are vocally bashed and abused by other residents for trying to give a ****.
Freddy K
says...
4:06pm Thu 12 Apr 12
Yes the Police should be doing their jobs better in the area but these criminals are very organised, the one trade that is to blame is the scrap metal dealers who purchase these materials from the criminals, this needs to change and fast.
The cost of repair shoudl be bourne by the Landlord in this instance as it is thair responsibility; however, a joint initiative between them and TBC should be sought to implement a better solution.
Voodoo
says...
6:40pm Thu 12 Apr 12
Replace it with Nylon, and someone will jump on it til it snaps.
Build a brick wall, and it'll be pulled apart and the bricks thrown in the river.
Stop throwing money away. Thurrock as a whole is virtually beyond salvation. There is a minority amongst us determined to destroy anything positive - be it decorative gardens or play equipment... Until these people are stopped, it is a utter waste of time.
Voodoo
says...
6:48pm Thu 12 Apr 12
Thurrock Trojan
says...
8:41pm Thu 12 Apr 12
The main reason why I quit living in Argent Court last year is because of the scum moving into the area. Inconsiderate neighbours, mostly Eastern Europeans, throwing parties in their flats, groups of yobs hanging out in the Town Wharf as well as the High Street, and the huge influx of immigrants.
Grays is an absolute dive now and I wouldn't live there rent-free. It's a waste of time repairing the fence in the Town Wharf or making any improvements in the area because it always falls foul to thieves and vandals.
Thurrock Trojan
says...
8:49pm Thu 12 Apr 12
Sally Ann30
says...
11:34am Fri 13 Apr 12
The theft that this news item refers to actually happened about 4 years ago. At that time the wire was replaced and subsequently the local youths found enjoyment in unravelling it and leaving it lying about on the footpath and subsequently throwing it into the river. The replaced wire has been missing for about the last 3 years.
The area is beyond the sea wall and normally this sort of area is not fenced off. If it were, we would have a fence along every river and coast around the country, and this is not the case. I suggest if the public feel they would like this level of protection then they should pay for it via their local council tax.
I find it curious that this is a public walkway, yet many of the contributors do not find it strange that council tax paying residents from a neighbouring estate should also be expected to pay for the upkeep of this public area. An area that most of the residents do not overlook or even use.
Ben Doon
says...
2:01pm Fri 13 Apr 12
Bernard 87
says...
3:02pm Mon 16 Apr 12
SaveOurStanford says...
11:06pm Wed 11 Apr 12