A major clean-up at one of Thurrock’s busiest gateways has delivered a cleaner, greener and more welcoming entrance to the borough, thanks to partnership working between Thurrock Council, National Highways and Connect Plus Services.
The improvements took place around the A126 Dumbells Roundabout and A13, a key route into Thurrock and the Lakeside shopping area used by thousands of residents, commuters and visitors.
The work supports Thurrock Council’s ongoing Civic Pride programme, which aims to create a greener, cleaner and safer borough, improve public spaces and encourage everyone to take pride in their local environment.
Following ongoing discussions between the Council and National Highways about the condition and cleanliness of the strategic road network, a planned overnight road closure on Wednesday 21 October provided an opportunity to carry out additional cleaning and maintenance.
Teams from Connect Plus Services made full use of the closure to undertake grass cutting, litter picking and debris clearance alongside scheduled highway works.
In just one overnight shift, teams removed 50 sacks of litter and 20 large items of debris, making a visible difference to this important entrance to Thurrock.
The clean-up has helped create a tidier, more attractive environment for residents, local businesses and visitors travelling towards Lakeside and the wider borough.
Councillor Alan Benson, Deputy Leader of Thurrock Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “First impressions matter, and the roads leading into Thurrock should reflect the pride we have in our borough. The approach to Lakeside is one of our busiest gateways, welcoming thousands of residents, workers and visitors, so it’s important that it looks clean, tidy and well maintained.
“Removing 50 sacks of litter and 20 large items of debris in just one night shows what can be achieved when organisations work together.
“This is a great example of our Civic Pride ambitions in action. I want to thank National Highways and Connect Plus Services for their efforts, and we will continue working with our partners to secure further improvements across Thurrock’s road network.
“Everyone has a part to play in keeping Thurrock clean, and by working together we can create a greener, cleaner and safer borough that we can all be proud of.”
Francis Cluett, National Highways Head of Service Delivery, said: “The A13 and A1089 are a gateway to Thurrock, and we are happy to work with our partners to provide a cleaner entrance to the area.
“We work hard to tackle this on our roads but urge road users to take their litter home - if people didn’t drop litter in the first place, it wouldn’t need to be picked up.”
The improvements demonstrate how close partnership working can deliver practical results, particularly along major roads that fall outside the Council’s direct maintenance responsibilities.
By working with National Highways and its contractors, the Council has helped ensure that the strategic road network contributes positively to the appearance of Thurrock and creates a better first impression for those entering the borough.
The Council will continue engaging with National Highways and Connect Plus Services to identify further opportunities for cleaning, vegetation management, and highway maintenance.
Discussions are also ongoing about whether more frequent cleansing can take place along the A13 and A1089 corridors, and how planned road closures can be used to deliver additional improvements while minimising disruption to motorists.
The latest clean-up is another example of Thurrock’s Civic Pride programme in action, bringing organisations together to make visible improvements to the borough’s environment.
