AFTER 81 days (14 October 2016), the play equipment at Grays Beach Park is now open and available for children to enjoy.Anglian Water has completed the works on the culvert which caused the park to flood and have installed a new flap valve which will prevent sea water from reaching the play equipment in future.Four tonnes of new sand has also been placed by Anglian Water to top up the sand pit and the fencing, around the affected area, has been taken down.Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Pauline Tolson, said: “I’m pleased this issue which has caused so much disappointment for families over the summer is finally fixed. When I met with Anglian Water at Grays Beach Park, we all agreed to work together to get this problem sorted out once and for all.”It’s just typical that it’s only a couple of weeks before the clocks go back is when the problem has finally been fixed and the park is usable again. At full council meeting held on 28 September it was unanimously agreed by all councillors to investigate the reasons why Grays Beach Park was closed over the summer.Cllr Tolson continued: “I welcome the review by the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee on what lessons can be learnt for the future I’ll be putting whatever pressure we can on Anglian Water to ensure this doesn’t happen again. For more information about Grays Beach, visit: thurrock.gov.uk/graysbeach
