Parks have played a vital role throughout the coronavirus pandemic. They have provided a place for people to exercise safely and a green space which we can walk through to clear our heads and spend some time outside.

That is why, no matter what, we have made sure that our parks have been well maintained and remain attractive and relaxing places to spend time outdoors.

This week we have seen a relaxation in the guidance around social distancing which means groups of up to six people can meet as long as they stay outside and keep their distance. The borough's parks have been especially important in allowing this to happen.

It's important that we do not take our parks for granted and remember we are all responsible to help keep parks litter free and ensure social distancing guidance is followed and that we leave parks looking nice and tidy for other people to enjoy.

Over the last week or so we have seen an increase in the amount of litter being left in parks and on the borough’s streets. Littering at a time like this is especially selfish, not only is it unsightly and unhygienic but it also puts our street and parks cleaning teams at unnecessary risk.

While our parks have remained open throughout we have had to close children’s play areas and outdoor gyms to keep our residents safe because it is simply not possible to maintain social distancing in them. These areas have all been taped off and locked but we are still experiencing issues where people are taking tape down and letting their children in.

This is completely irresponsible and I would urge parents not to do this. The current relaxation has been hard won and it is up to us to make sure we continue to take extra care and do everything we can to seize the opportunities in a responsible way which does not put anyone at risk or negatively impact on our local environment.

Following the government’s relaxation of social distancing restrictions on 1 June, please remember to take care of borough parks and green spaces when visiting them, and use the litter bins provided or take litter home with you. 

We have seen increased levels of litter and rubbish, including cigarette butts, crisp packets and cans, being left next to litter bins or being dropped on the floor. If a litter bin isn’t close by or is at full capacity, please dispose of your litter at home.

Anyone who drops litter could receive an £150 fixed penalty notice or be taken to court and fined up to £2,500.

Report littering via My Account on the Thurrock Council website.

The government has issued new guidance on social distancing following this week’s relaxation of some restrictions.

Under the new guidance people can now:

• spend time outdoors, including to exercise, alone, with members of your household, or in groups of up to six people from different households as long as you all stay two metres apart
• exercise more than once a day
• drive to outdoor open spaces, including beaches and beauty spots, irrespective of distance (must be in England) - you should travel in a private vehicle, alone or with members of your own household and must return home on the same day

To stay safe people should:

• take hygiene precautions when they are outside
• wash their hands as soon as they are back indoors
• keep at least two metres apart from anyone outside of their household at all times
• take hand sanitiser with them in case there are no hand-washing facilities

More information on this guidance is available online.

As the weather changes this weekend please continue to follow the rules and do not meet other people indoors. 

This week we have seen two important milestones passed on our journey to what I am sure will be the new normal: the first of our primary school pupils returned to school and a relaxation in social distancing guidance means that there are more opportunities to go out and meet people as long as we are all careful to follow the guidelines.

These are just the first moves in the right direction. In 10 days’ time we will see non-essential shops reopening and life coming back to our high streets and shopping centres.

This is not only great news for our local economy, these areas are vital community spaces and it is fantastic to see that they will soon be in increased use.

We should take a moment to think about everything we have achieved to come this far. Life has changed in ways none of us would have predicted just a few months ago yet we have adapted, absorbed these changes and I have no doubt that we will emerge from this stronger than we started it.

It is also a moment to remind ourselves that we still have much to do and remember that every relaxation to the guidance was hard won and we will have to continue fighting for the next.

Now is a time to celebrate what we have achieved but it is not a time for complacency. We need to make sure that we follow social distancing guidance as diligently as ever and continue to take care of ourselves and each other.

Please remember: stay alert, control the virus and save lives.

This week we have been celebrating Volunteers Week and the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and many people’s lives.

Volunteers have been a vital part of the borough’s response to coronavirus. Since 1 April more than 500 people have donated thousands of hours of their time to Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action (TCCA), helping some of the most vulnerable people in the borough.

TCCA has delivered hundreds of food and medicine packages to people who are unable to go out because of underlying health conditions, providing a vital lifeline to people who would have had nowhere else to turn.

They have also spoken to more than 3,000 people on their helpline, offering advice, help and support to anyone who called.

Any resident who requires additional help and support due to self-isolation, worsening mental or physical health issues or due to not having friends, family or local support in place at this time, can call the TCCA helpline on 01375 511 002 or complete the online enquiry form.

St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank is another borough volunteering success story. The group learned this week that they have won a prestigious Queen's Award for Voluntary Services.

The group have been selected for the national award which is only given to 230 charities, social enterprises and volunteer-led groups each year. They have been recognised for their work in "bringing about change through the hard work, innovation and determination of volunteers, delivering services to a disadvantaged local community bringing cohesion and a positive outlook."

Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre will still be accessible this weekend while a section of the A13 beneath the Orsett Cock roundabout is closed for widening works from 9pm on Friday 5 June until 5am on Monday 8 June.

A13 traffic will be diverted over the roundabout along the exit and entry slip roads.

The temporary one-way system around Buckingham Hill Road, Butts Lane and Walton's Hall Road will not be in place during these times.

During the closure, access to and out of the Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre (the tip) is through Buckingham Hill Road at the Linford end only. The one-way system will return at 7:30am on Monday 8 June.

The north end of Buckingham Hill Road will be closed, with access remaining open from the Linford end for users of the tip and businesses based along Buckingham Hill Road.

Orsett Road, Horndon will also be closed between High Road and Victoria Road, with a temporary one-way system in Gordon Road and Victoria Road, Horndon.

Visitors must access the tip from the Linford end of Buckingham Hill Road, and then also exit towards Linford. Traffic will be able to travel both ways along Butts Lane and Walton's Hall Road.

More information about the A13 widening works can be found at thurrock.gov.uk/A13

Roadworks are also taking place in Stonehouse Lane, Purfleet. Works will take place between Stonehouse Lane roundabout and Dolphin Way roundabout. Traffic will be diverted via Stonehouse Lane, junction 31, Arterial Road and Purfleet Bypass.