TRUG’s committee are all volunteers, and there are not enough us, or occasional helpers, to resource ongoing work to anything like the degree that Thurrock’s rail users need – therefore we have to prioritise, to tackle just whatever we see as the most pressing issues at the time. Sadly, this means that many important issues lack the attention they deserve. So, if your own concerns seem to be ignored, or simply not making sufficient progress, you now know why; if they are important to you, you may therefore wish to play a part in securing the improvements you desire.

Indeed, turnout at TRUG’s 2004 AGM was estimated to represent barely one in every two thousand of the local rail users. With a Committee still numbering fewer than the number of stations in the Borough, more are needed, along with occasional helpers, if the workload of serious and important issues is to be tackled effectively. We therefore urge anyone who cares about the fate of the local rail service to contact us as below.

With the departure of founder member Pauline ‘Powerhouse’ Cridland, resources will be even more stretched, until we can recruit even a handful of members willing to take on one or more of the issues, or regular tasks such as answering / categorising emails, updating membership or contact lists, note-taking at meetings, etc.. Again, if you believe the local railway could and should be better, don’t just leave it to others to help make it so - why not use a little of your free time, perhaps a couple hours spread over a month’s lunch breaks, to help make a difference? Contact us.

Details of our meetings, held roughly every 6-8 weeks at the Council Offices, New Road, Grays, will be published here. If you are free on these evenings please come along and support YOUR user group:

2009 meeting dates :