Thurrock Council is stockpiling fuel – and planning for staff to use bicycles – in the event of post-Brexit chaos on the road network.

Freedom of information findings revealed that Thurrock Council has spent £8,049 to build up a stock of bicycles during the 2018-19 financial year.

The money went on ten electric bicycles, helmets, locks, hi-vis vests and jackets.

They have also spent £1,000 on purchasing a new fuel tank that will help them to stockpile fuel as part of a contingency plan requested by Essex Police.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The highest assessed risk by our Emergency Resilience Group for Thurrock post Brexit is a gridlocked borough.

“The borough received £110,000 resilience money from the Government in 2018-19, of which £8,000 has been spent on ten electric bicycles.

“This equipment ensures that carers and those needing to visit vulnerable residents who require urgent home care can do so.

“The power-operated bicycles are to be located at strategic locations across the borough and officers have already trialled these bicycles in preparation.”

Southend Council also confirmed they had spent £2,950 on a 5,000 litre fuel storage container as part of their post-Brexit contingency planning. In addition, the council, which is also a unitary authority, confirmed they also have a supply of bicycles which they say should allow emergency workers to reach people in need in the event that roads become overloaded and congested in the wake of Brexit.

Their existing stock included four bicycles, four electric bicycles and one folding bicycle.