LONDON mayor Boris Johnson continues to ignore the views of Thurrock people about a new airport and another Thames crossing, says Thurrock Council Leader, Cllr John Kent.
Mayor Johnson responded to a letter from Cllr Kent earlier this month in which he admits there will be impacts on Thurrock and claims the effects of a “hub airport to the east of London will be overwhelmingly positive”.
On Tuesday (20 August), Cllr Kent said: “Mayor Johnson mentions a meeting in Tunbridge Wells – this would be meeting chaired by our director of planning and transport where it emerged Transport for London admitted at least 30,000 Thurrock homes – about half of all homes in the borough – would be affected by noise from his new airport proposal.
“Quite how this would endear him to Thurrock people I’m not sure.”
Cllr Kent added: “He claims he’s sorry I feel ‘aggrieved’ about his proposals and his support for Option C … somehow I think he’s not, really.
“His thoughts on Option C are very clear; he sees it taking traffic from the south coast ports to London avoiding the current crossing bottleneck – strangely not from Essex to Kent, but only northbound!
“He sees ‘economic benefits’ but dismisses Thurrock’s concerns by saying ‘it is important the detailed alignment of the route is designed in a way that minimises any adverse impacts on local communities’. I really want to see those designs as would anybody interested in Thurrock’s people, its history and its future.
“I’m sorry, it can’t be done. Any adverse impact is too much adverse impact on our borough.
“And then there’s Mr Johnson’s comments about London Gateway, claiming Option C would be of ‘great benefit’ to the new super-port.
“I’m afraid his recent interest and visit to the port just shows he’s finally woken up to what Thurrock is offering. Although there are details still to sort out about the new port’s traffic and rail plans, another river crossing in Thurrock is not and never has been part or the proposals.
“Mr Johnson doesn’t seem to realise that the advantage of having a major new container port and logistics hub here in the Thames is so much more efficient; it brings the goods close to their main market in London and the south east of Britain.
“London Gateway is exactly what it says on the sign – the gateway for goods into London!”
Cllr Kent concluded: “I realise the London mayor is using the Thames-side airport and support for Option C for publicity reasons, unfortunately it impacts adversely on Thurrock, Thurrock people and Thurrock business. We’re telling business Thurrock is the place to be. Mr Johnson says it’s the place to drive through or fly over.
“His proposals are not only not thought through; they really are counter productive for his beloved London.
“The capital needs Thurrock working at full capacity with its new homes, new jobs, new ports and new shops along with an efficient east-west and north-south transport system. Without this London and the south east will grind to a halt.”
…meanwhile in the real world the rubbish remains uncollected, council homes remain unpaired, Grays High Street is still a disgusting tip, roads remain unrepaired, the schools are poor compared to neighbouring areas, rent and council tax arrears increase, staff are taking more and more time off sick…
…but who cares as long as Cllr Kent can moan about the Mayor of London.
Good for you Mr Kent, I’m glad that you keep fighting Balmy Boris.
Thurrock residents are fed up with always being London’s dumping ground!
JMW118 are you being ironic or do you mean that.
Well I suppose Mr Kent is right to question Boris, after all Boris will be our mayor once Mr Kent has turned us into The London Borough Of Thurrock
Mayor Johnson doesnt have to endear himself to Thurrock people. He only has to endear himself to the the 8m + people of our capital city, which rightly or wrongly he has now done twice. Not to the 158,000 people of the 38th biggest unitary authority.
Im sure the leader of Thurrock BC hasnt endeared himself to the 250,000 people of LB Hillingdon or the 95,000 people of Spelthorne BC, the areas likely to be affected by any Heathrow expansion.
In any case both Thurrock and London’s wishes for or against airport expansion and lower Thames river crossings, are certain to be over-ridden by the preference of our National Government.
Notwithstanding the present government, Im sure that would be true even if the political composition of a future government is in alignment with Leader Kent’s political views.