Freedom of information response
Lamp Post Tampering
I believe that the Tax paying public of Thurrock should know what the situation is regarding lamp post no 16, currently out of use for the last 4 weeks because of suspected illegal tampering. For the last 3 years access to the post in Palmerston Road has been denied to maintenance workers seeking to maintain the lamp because of an illegal fence erected by a resident who sought to extended their property's boundary without permission on to land owned by the Crown.
In 2022 an officer working for the council's planning enforcement department was told that information was available that suspected tampering was going on regarding the lamp post but sought not to respond.
In 2023, on two separate occasions, the contract company that undertakes the work to maintain the lamps, arrived but failed to gain access to the lamp because of the fence. They also raised concerns about tampering at the time.
So some of the questions that arise from this are, was the work not carried out included in the maintenance costs supplied to Thurrock Council?
If tampering is confirmed to be the reason for the lamp being out of use, will those responsible be held to account for their actions both legally and financially?
When does Thurrock Council expect to be in a position to gain access to the lamp for inspection?
So some of the questions that arise from this are, was the work not carried out included in the maintenance costs supplied to Thurrock Council?
As with maintenance to any street lighting asset any work carried out would have incurred costs, however as access has been denied due to erection of the fence any costs would be limited to attendance only and if no work was completed then no cost would have been incurred
If tampering is confirmed to be the reason for the lamp being out of use, will those responsible be held to account for their actions both legally and financially?
The owners of the property have been written too and formally asked to remove the fence, however they have ignored our request and therefore the matter has been passed to our legal team. If the electrical fault is found to be the result of tampering then costs for recovery will be pursued, through the relevant legal route.
When does Thurrock Council expect to be in a position to gain access to the lamp for inspection?
Council owned lamp columns should be accessible at all times and action is being taken to ensure the column in question is accessible. Unfortunately it is not possible at this stage to provide a timescale for resolution.