Meeting targets estate's roads (From Thurrock Gazette)

Meeting targets estate's roads

3:00pm Saturday 18th August 2012 in News

MORE than 170 people on a private estate in Corringham have met to discuss the poor condition of their roads.

The meeting, for residents of the Frost Estate, was organised by East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe.

One of the chief concerns residents have is the damage they believe Thurrock Council refuse lorries are causing to estate roads and the cost of repairing them.

A number of people at the meeting decided to set up a steering group to look into the matter.

Mr Metcalfe was thrilled at the turnout at the meeting, and has pledged to ask Thurrock Council if it will look into using lighter vehicles on the estate.

He said: “I was delighted to see such a high turnout at this meeting. “If we are to solve the problems with the roads on the Frost Estate we must work together and it was extremely encouraging to see so many people willing to do this.

“The steering group will be vital in the success of meeting the community’s aims and I will of course support the residents in whatever way I can.

“I will begin by contacting Thurrock Council to see if they can use the lighter refuse lorries in the Frost Estate to prevent further deterioration of the roads.

“I think we are on track for a community-led solution and I will continue to support the residents in achieving their aims. I look forward to seeing the results on the Frost Estate in the near future.”

A Thurrock Council spokesman said: “The council does not use heavy refuse lorries on the Frost Estate. For most roads our standard dustcarts have a maximum weight of 26 tonnes.

“The lighter smaller dustcarts we use on the Frost Estate have a maximum gross weight of 18 tonnes.”