According to Hexus, 77,000 homes and businesses in the Hertfordshire towns of Hoddesdon, Waltham Cross, St Albans, Lea Valley and Watford are now enjoying faster broadband speeds.

And another 76,000 in Billericay, Braintree, Brentwood and Stanford-Le-Hope are also benefiting from the internet service provider’s latest upgrade work.

BT says that download speeds of 40Mb are now available to users, with the prospect of 60Mb to look forward to in the future.

Upstream speeds will also be faster, the firm noted, allowing businesses and consumers to perform a wider range of online tasks in double-quick time.

BT is currently spending around £2.5 million upgrading local telephone exchanges around the UK to support next-generation broadband.

Last week, the firm revealed that some 15 million households are now subscribed to a broadband deal delivered over its network.

IT WAS standing room only in the main hall at St Clere’s school as local residents came together to voice their concerns regarding a proposal for 180 homes in Butts Lane, Stanford-le-Hope.

Local MP Stephen Metcalfe joined councillors Eddie Hardiman and Terry Hipsey in listening to vociferous complaints from local residents against the proposed Barratts homes site.

Residents pledged that they would fight the proposal: “Tooth and Nail”

Another speaker pointed to the ongoing drainage problems in the area. He said: “If they struggle to solve the problems in Runnymede Road now, what are the drainage and sewage problems going to be like with hundreds of more homes.”

Due to its size the application will be decided by the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Thanks to JBS Sounds for the footage as the carnival went past St Margarets church

One of DP World’s global operations is the DP World London Gateway deep water port in Stanford-le-Hope.

A strategy outline for the group at its latest creditor presentation looked at raising up to $19.4bn to appease creditors.

It was put together last month by the company and a co-ordinating committee which represent 60pc of the $23.5bn of debt being restructured.

The state-owned conglomerate is now canvassing creditors holding the remaining 40pc of owed monies to submit feedback before September 9 ahead of an October 1 “soft” deadline to complete the restructuring.

The outline document also revealed the group’s debt stood at $39.9bn – far higher than estimates of about $25bn – even though not all of the debt is being restructured.

In the presentation the company said an immediate asset sale would raise just $10.4bn, but argued that recoveries for lenders would be “significantly enhanced if Dubai World is given time to rebuild and realise value over a five to eight year horizon”.

It said the assets could fetch $19.4bn over this longer period.

Until now DP World, which bought P&O Ports in 2006 and runs Southampton and Tilbury docks in the UK, had been considered sacrosanct – along with Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Although Dubai World plans to resist selling either, the joint company/creditor document presented various disposal scenarios if that was the only way to quell creditor concerns.

The move by Thurrock Council has been roundly condemned by some councillors, who say the authority is penalising residents while letting visiting rogue lorry drivers go free.

It has also come as a surprise to YourThurrock after we interviewed Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, Gerard Rice in May who informed us that he had made the decision to stop such actions.

The late night patrols came to light on Monday evening when a vehicle belonging to the son of Enquirer editor Neil Speight was ticketed at 2.58 in the morning on a side street near his home.

“To be honest I was staggered,” he said. “I cannot contest the ticket as the vehicle was parked overlapping a double yellow line, though there was nowhere else to park it other than on the main road outside my house where not only would it have been something of an obstacle to passing buses and lorries on a narrow but busy road, but we have been blighted with ‘boy racers’ causing damage to parked cars, road signs and bollards.

“Only on Saturday evening was there a fairly major incident when a speeding car lost control, hitting the kerb and veering all over the road having smashed a wheel.

“My son’s car wasn’t parked until 1am in the morning and as I was using it to go to work at 6am, it was a conscious decision to park it, albeit partially on yellow lines, on a dead end side street which has very little traffic. Yes it was about 12 yards from the junction, but it wasn’t causing an obstruction or a problem for any other residents, most of whom would have been in bed.

“I can’t believe it is anything other than a money-making exercise by the Council, but I can’t believe it to be a financially effective one – putting staff on the road overnight can’t be cheap – and I wonder how that squares with the authority having to cut staff for frontline services in the daytime. Tell that to a pensioner not getting her lunch … it appears to be deals on wheels, not meals on wheels!”

That also appeared to be the view of a cross section of councillors.
Little Thurrock ‘Concerned Conservative’ Cllr Stuart St Clair-Haslam has been a long time crusader against rogue lorries parked on his residents’ patch and he was surprised to learn of the Council’s night time patrols.

“I was told there was wholesale resistance from Council staff to going out at night and that it would not be happening. Given that it now appears to be happening, it is clearly ridiculous that enforcement officers are out and about in the dead of night targeting residents in a part of the borough where there are very few traffic issues, while in places like Aveley, West Thurrock, Purfleet and in my own ward of Little Thurrock there are massive problems will illegal lorry parking and residents’ lives are being made a misery, yet you will see not hide nor hair of a traffic officer!.”

His fellow ward councillor and residents’ rights activist, Conservative Rob Gledhill, was also surprised, adding: “As councillors we haven’t been told about this. We have lorries causing a nuisance through the night right on residents’ doorsteps but the officers tell us the Council can’t afford to take enforcement action against them, but it appears they are back on the road penalising residents. It doesn’t seem right and I will be looking into this.”

However, a spokseman for the Council, which is being forced to cut millions from its budget, said it was only responding to public demand, adding: “There have been many requests for night time patrols.

“When we recently had to suspend them due to staff shortages we had many complaints from residents and councillors. The enforcement operations, while not profit making, are self-funding.”

If you want a clue to the reason for their success then just watch the interview with Connor Stowers. Connor has got a clear idea of where he is going after achieving an A* at History. He said: “I want to go onto college and study History and then university to get a degree and then a doctorate.”

How is that for ambition which is clearly something that is woven into the cultural milieu of the school. Then again, this is the school that gained six “outstandings” in its Ofsted report this year.

YourThurrock also spoke to Headteacher Paul Griffiths about the phenomenal success at the school and what it also means to the community.

This year, the school gained 64% 5 A* to C at GCSE which is an improvement of 10% on last year.

Interviewing the students, it is clear that they put in a great deal of work. We spoke to Lydia Cranefield and Vikki Teasdale. What they stress is the amount of coursework they completed in subjects such as Art and Geography.

What is also interesting is how proud they were to say that they were going on to Sixth Form College. They didn’t see it as a right but as something they has earned.

DOZENS of movie buffs took part in a series of quiz evenings across the borough organised by the Youth and Connexions Service

YourThurrock spoke to Richard Stevens, Curriculum Leader Arts and Media.

The winners received cinema tickets which were donated from Vue, Empire and Odeon.

The quiz took part at Culver Centre, Riverside and Stanford Youth and Connexions Centre.

On an overcast day at Mopsies Park, Stanford-le-hope CC secured their safety in Division 2 of the Sheppard Neame Essex League with a fine team performance against a struggling Basildon team. Stanford had been put into bat by the hosts and openers Michael Gray (34) and Duncan Page (22) set about building a good platform. The pair put on 50 for the first wicket and most importantly saw of the early threat of Basildon’s main threat Steve Brown. As Duncan Page was removed for a patient 22 his son Robert upped the anti with his usual combination of glorious drives and pulls. Robert Page was then bowled for 22 by Basildon’s Clarke-Irons bringing Martin Leslie to the crease to join the patient Gray.

Leslie mirrored Robert Page’s innings by setting about the Basildon attack in an attempt to put quick runs on the board and take the game away from Basildon. Re-enter Steve Brown, the Basildon paceman had very little success in his first spell but came back to terrorise the Stanford Batsman. Firstly, he bowled Leslie for 25, then got wickets of Gray, Maher and last weeks hero Poulton in a devastating spell of 4-0 off 4 overs. It was left to Stanford Skipper Lee Knight (49 not out) to rebuild the innings. Knight got himself back into the form that the Stanford boys were used to by playing an array or delightful drives and cheeky late cuts. He helped Stanford to a total of 204.

In reply, Basildon lost early wickets through good bowling from the returning Matt Higgins and the majestic fielding of Michael Gray. Basildon lost wickets at regular intervals and it was very much down to the work of spin twins Ross Poulton and Neil Samwell. The pair worked in tandem picking up wickets and virtually halted the run rate as Stanford were firmly in the box seat. Poulton was the pick of the bowlers (3-11 off his 10 overs) and Samwell returned figures of 1-29 off 10 overs. Basildon showed resistance through Gray and Brown, as the run rate started to rise they capitalised on some poor Stanford bowling. Gary Sanderson (3-52) polished off the tail leaving Basildon 27 runs short of the Stanford total. Stanford had secured safety with 2 games remaining and Captain Lee Knight said after the game, ‘Many people thought we would struggle this season but I am very pleased with the performance of my team and now hope to finish as high as we can’.

We spoke to the organisers from the Stanford Parkas about their fund-raising activities and the continuing appeal of the Mod scene.

Conservative Councillor for Stanford East and Corringham Town, Phil Anderson has made a considerable impact in the three short months since he was elected.

Phil, however, doesn’t hold back and believes that the reason he has made an impression is that the bar is relatively low. Phil believes it is time for the 49 councillors to raise their game.

We spoke to Phil as he was addressing ward issues on the Frost Estate in Corringham.

Over 3 million cubic metres of dredging has now been completed for the new port that will bring the world’s largest container ships to within 25 miles of central London. Work continues 24 hours a day seven days a week at the site in Thurrock, Essex. Visitors can now walk 200 metres out onto new land that has been created from the beneficial reuse of the dredged material.

His Excellency Abdul Rahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwe’e, UAE Ambassador to the UK, said: “I am very pleased to visit London Gateway, which is the UK’s largest jobs creation project today. This project is one of the largest investments into the UK by the UAE and I look forward to DP World delivering an exemplary world class infrastructure asset.”

DP World’s CEO Mohammed Sharaf said: “The works are progressing very well and we are meeting with our global customers and potential park tenants to discuss London Gateway.

He continued, “London Gateway will be one of the most advanced container terminals in the world connected to one of Europe’s largest logistics parks and together, with the outstanding location to the hinterland markets, we believe our customers will benefit from significant efficiency savings within their supply chains.”

Dredging is a key element in DP World’s investment at London Gateway. Work will continue until nearly 30 million cubic metres has been completed. London Gateway will provide 3.5 million TEU capacity for the UK when fully operational.

Homesteads councillor, James Halden was speaking at the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee where all the issues surrounding the Emergency Budget were being discussed.

Last week it had been agreed that the Chafford Hundred library, ear-marked for closure would remain open for three half days.

Portfolio Holder, cllr Lyn Worrall reminded the committee that although the library had the third highest footfall in the borough, it had the lowest number of adult books taken out of the library.

Cllr Halden said: “It is only a suggestion but an area like Stanford “area” has two libraries in close proximity. Could we not look there? Chafford’s footfall is still a very high figure.”

Stanford councillor and former leader Terry Hipsey was clearly incensed at the suggestion. He said: “I hope that comment from the Homesteads councillor has been minuted. The suggestion that the very popular Stanford and Corringham libraries could be closed is outrageous.”

Cllr Halden replied: “I only refer to Stanford as it is an area that I know. I am not referring to Tilbury as I do not know the area. I am not saying close libraries, I am saying that we should look at all areas.”

Yet it took an article in a magazine to set him on the course that has now seen him graduate with a First Class Honours Degree in Engineering – the BEng Medical Engineering – from Swansea University’s School of Engineering today.

Adam, from Stanford-Le-Hope in Essex, first attended St Clere’s School and then completed his BTEC National Diploma at Thurrock and Basildon College.

For him, a career as an engineer seemed logical – his dad, Derek is an electrical engineer at Network Rail, his middle brother Barry completed his apprenticeship with London Underground to become a mechanical engineer, and his eldest brother Robert works in IT for the NHS.

Adam told Welsh Icon News that “At college, I found myself torn between completing my BTEC and doing my A-Levels in Science and Biology at the college across the road,” he said.

“Once I finished, I felt stuck and I remember one day reading an article in a magazine my dad brought home about the way chemical and biological engineers are changing the way we heal.

“It was at that moment that I knew this is what I wanted to do, but finding a suitable degree course at that point in time was not easy.”

Adam subsequently approached UCAS and he enrolled for a biological and chemical process course, which was integrated with a foundation year at Swansea University.

“My college grades were not as strong as I’d hoped, but I knew the Swansea University course would help me gain the right grounding,” he added.

“After completing my foundation year, I had to take time off university as the Medical Engineering course did not start until a year later. I took the opportunity to better my college grades and enrolled at Swansea College to do three AS-levels in Maths, Biology, and English.

“The year at college really made a difference. My first year’s average was 69% and it kept improving. I knew I had finally discovered the type of engineering that would see me follow in my family’s footsteps – just with a slightly different angle.”

In recognition of his achievements, Adam will also be awarded a prize certificate for best overall performance.

Dr Chris Wright, Course Director for Medical Engineering in Swansea University’s School of Engineering, said: “Adam, who is amongst the first cohort to graduate with the MEng in Medical Engineering, has clearly demonstrated that with the right approach and passion, you can realise your dreams. I am delighted with his achievements – something I am sure I share with his family and I wish him every success for the future.

“Medical engineering is the application of engineering principles to both the human body itself and to a broad range of instrumentation used as part of modern medicine. The Scheme at Swansea builds on the strengths of both the School of Engineering and the School of Medicine.

“The subject, by its nature, is multi-disciplinary and this is reflected by the exposure students will receive to a broad range of activities; from the design of prosthetic devices and new biocompatible materials, to the study of the behaviour of complex bio-molecules and fluids with the body.”

Adam is now considering whether to apply for a placement, get a full-time job, or return to university to study further.

He said: “I really enjoyed doing my project on quantum dots with Professor Huw Summers. The application of nanotechnology in medicine and engineering is fascinating and I am keen to know more.

“The best thing about the degree is that you have so many choices – something that would have seemed difficult for me to believe when I first left college.”

Adam’s dad and brothers will be accompanyed him to his Graduation ceremony, while mum Sandra will be watching the live streaming from home, while recovering from an operation.

“I know I am the first in my family to graduate from University, but it may not be the last time. Mum will have front row seats next time, that’s for sure,” he added.