THE poor air quality across Thurrock was discussed by councillors on Tuesday (13 October) evening, and the effect of another Thames crossing was brought up.
Thurrock Council’s Health and Well-being Overview and Scrutiny Committee was receiving an update on progress made after a previous report about improving air quality to mitigate health risks.
Cllr Barbara Rice, the council’s portfolio holder for health and adult care, asked: “What happens when they build a six-lane bridge, what effect is this going to have on Thurrock?”
Speaking afterwards, she said: “I didn’t want a specific answer, but I wanted everyone to think about it – it’s a very important question.
“This report talks about the current situation and how to ‘mitigate’ pollution, yet we all know that if a six-lane bridge crosses the Thames and a six-lane motorway is built pollution levels will rise.”
Committee chair, Cllr Graham Snell, added: “I think there is a very good case for us to have words with the government when and if it happens to extend the low-emission zone out this far to encompass all of Thurrock.”
The committee heard that a working group of officers was looking at the situation and would probably report back to several overview committees before putting recommendations to cabinet.
Cllr Rice said: “The Lower Thames Crossing debate has gone quiet at the moment, but it hasn’t gone away and we must keep up our guard.”
