The council has concluded a summer of evidence-gathering and investigation into the ongoing blight of dust in Tilbury, and is now in a much stronger position to help tackle dust issues around Tilbury, that have been a longstanding concern for local residents.
Over the summer a special dust hotline was established to provide evidence of where dust was coming from, and help guide work to prevent that dust at source. Logging more than 100 calls, the phone line has helped locate and map possible sources of dust. Officers have acted on calls and carried out immediate investigations, at the time dust has been seen.
Cllr Tom Kelly, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Environment, said: “Residents have been telling the council that dust is a significant issue in Tilbury for many years, and I’m really pleased that we have now gathered the information we need to get a clear picture of the problem and push for action to be taken.
“The work we’ve done this summer has given us huge amounts of intelligence that will help us develop a plan of action and help make a real impact in reducing dust pollution in Tilbury.
“Reports from residents allowed officers to carry out investigations while dust was still present. Those investigations have created a bank of evidence that will be used to either take enforcement action or to lobby the other responsible organisations, such as the Environment Agency and the ports, to take action.”
Thurrock Council has shared the information with the Environment Agency and the Port Health Authority who have an important role to play in reducing dust locally. This joint work will continue, with regular meetings taking place to ensure the issue of dust in Tilbury remains high on everyone’s agenda.
Alongside the information gathered through the hotline, the Council has also commissioned a programme of dust sample collection across Tilbury. These samples are being independently analysed to help identify the composition and potential sources of the dust being reported by residents. Once completed, the findings will provide an important additional evidence base to support the Council, partner agencies and other stakeholders in considering any further actions that may be necessary, such as asking the Government to consider policy changes to strengthen councils’ ability to take action on issues like this.
Residents can still report dust, and other environmental concerns, through the council’s online Report It webpages found at: thurrock.gov.uk/report