THURROCK’S parliamentary candidate, Polly Billington has praised the government for “coming to its senses” over the A13.
Ms Billington said: “Finally this government has come to its senses and delayed its final decision about the Thames Crossing. Just as Thurrock Labour have been arguing from the beginning, there won’t be any decision made until the impact of free flow tolling has been assessed.
“It would be even better if they further agreed to delay until the improvements to Junctions 30 and 31 were also completed and their impact understood. It would be sensible to revisit the original arguments for whether we need a new crossing at all as well as consider other location options. This government has carried on regardless for years, insisting this crossing is needed, telling residents it is “too complicated” to explain why and riding roughshod over local opinion.
“Neither option A through Purfleet and Aveley or Option C through Chadwell and Orsett is desirable. No opportunities for the local population to benefit from such a massive scheme have been proposed and we are all aware that air quality risks getting worse, noise pollution is likely to rise and our environment will suffer.
“The local Tory MPs have failed their communities for years on this: it is the sensible practical arguments of Thurrock Labour that have won out, thanks to the wide support from across the community for a reasonable approach. This should be seen as a victory for our community and common sense. but it cannot stop here. We must ensure from now on, ministers listen to us earlier and respond to our concerns about the impact of such a huge project”.
Hang on a minute, wasn’t Jackie Doyle Price involved in getting a decision on this. Ms Billington are you saying it was all down to you and your Labour colleagues!! The impression I got was John Kent was being ignored and needed the help of our MP to even be acknowledge.
Maybe Ms Billington should think before she speaks with regard to accusing the local Tories have failed their communities for years, surly Ms Billington is aware that this Labour controlled council is neglecting their residents on the Damp and mould issues and residents are dying and to top it off having to live in the third worst polluted county in the country, how about discussing what’s important at this present time Ms Billington and ask yourself why you’re Labour colleagues are not fit for purpose to be in control of Thurrock. It amazes me when a someone wants to be a somebody and will jump on any band wagon to try and achieve their goal. So pleeese Ms Billington try and achieve something of your own then maybe you will have room for speech.
Couldn’t have put it better myself, Snakebiteuk!
I think route C will be the route chosen especially taking into account the proposed developments either side of the Thames and as another route across the Thames in the event of accidents on the M25 or Dartford bridge or tunnel closures so the whole area doesn’t gridlock.
I’m surprised Polly can remember her own name. Her lapses of memory regarding her own party’s time in government and lack of action over tolls at Dartford is staggering. She should go and get some dementia tests carried out.
Is she aware how stupid she sounds and looks when she when she pontificates on issues her own party spectacularly failed on when they were in government. In fact can she name something that her party did while in government that was a success for this country let alone Thurrock.
We should of course remember that a new lower Thames crossing was actually a Labour policy under the previous Labour Government with consultation starting under Labour. All that has happened is the Coalition has continued this Labour policy of a new lower Thames crossing.