By Local Democracy Reporter
Steve Shaw
LABOUR councillors have praised Thurrock’s Tory administration for agreeing to monitor air pollution in the borough.
The issue was raised during Thurrock’s full council meeting on Thursday night by Labour Councillor Tony Fish who expressed concerns about the levels of pollution in Grays caused by traffic congestion.
Conservative Councillor Aaron Watkins, who oversees the environment in Thurrock, said that the issue is at the “forefront” of his mind and announced the council would be reopening their air quality strategy.
“This will see what more can be done and what the council can do to tackle new issues such as the dust issue Tilbury,” he said.
“Also, I’d like it to play a part in the Government’s ambition that by 2050 the country will have no net emissions. I hope Thurrock can play a massive part in that, we’ve only got 30 years which is not long.”
He went on to say the initial steps will be analysing the issues in each of the wards and then preparing a plan for how to tackle the problems.
News of the strategy is likely to be welcomed by the residents of Tilbury who have complained for more than a year of a metallic dust in the air that has been covering cars and homes. Many fear there could be health implications and delays to formal health testing by Government agencies have resulted in independent tests being undertaken.
Mr Fish said: “I am pleased that my concerns around air quality are being taken on board. My residents deserve clean air, and I will fight for this to be improved.
He added that a low emission zone “would make a difference in the town”. If this was to be introduced it would mean certain types of high-emission vehicles are prohibited from entering a designated area.
Councillor Jane Pothecary, leader of Thurrock Labour, also welcomed the announcement and said that the party intends to “ensure any new strategy benefits our residents and improves their quality of life”.
Well done Cllr Fish for making sure the Tories do something about the levels of air pollution in Thurrock. Labour standing up for the health of Thurrock’s residents.
It’s a pity our Tory MP, Jackie Doyle-Price, doesn’t feel the same about the health of the people she’s supposed to represent by ignoring calls to oppose the Lower Thames Crossing. Typical Tory disrespect of the ordinary people.
Meanwhile the ships at Purfleet, Tilbury and Coryton pump out a huge amount of air pollution…
“Conservative Councillor Aaron Watkins, the dust issue Tilbury,”
I thought previously you said there was not an issue. I warned you of the legal problems you could face from Businesses and lawyers in not dealing with it. and now you state there is an issue. A lawyer would have a field day with you on this issue.
A Thurrock Independants prospective Cllr got the funding together for one test.
what did you do in all this time?
As for the National Conservative Government saying they are going to tackle it.
May’s track record
1. Taking support away from Renewable Energy.
2. Scrapping the zero carbon homes standard.
3. Fracking approval even in areas that don’t want it?
Now after May has said she is leaving. She comes out with this.
Only for it to be scrapped when Boris or Hunt get in.
It’s a PR stunt.
2050 Is too late anyway its 11 years till the point of no return.
Catching the Bus – Good point.
People need to wake up to this issue, pollution in Thurrock is not going to get any better regardless of what policticians (can we call them that in Thurrock) say.
Tilbury 2 port = more pollution.
Huge development earmarked for Thurrock = more cars = more pollution.
New roads and road upgrades = more pollution.
Wakey wakey people.
You are correct TGDH on the pollution Issue.
The Green economy is a massive business opportunity going forward.
Natually the fosil fuel industry will fight it’s progress.
When R&D keeps progressing and gets wind turbines up from 7MW to 50-70MW and efficiency improvements. and Solar panels start to increase from 400W to 2.400 W.
And Green cars start to come about with Batteries that last 900Miles Plus.
It will change the dynamics so much the Oil and Coal Industries will switch investments and stop climate denial lobbying.
As I said going forward its a massive growth industry worldwide.
UK could export it to the world.
Theres money to be made.
I should add the new technology in Carbon capture turning it into Zero emisions fuel is interesting and something I am keeping a keen eye on.