Update

OVER 300 residents have received letters indicating that there homes "may be need in the future" as a consequence of plans for a new Thames Crossing.

A Highways England spokesperson said:

"As part of our consultation about route options for a new Lower Thames Crossing, we have written to any landowner who may be affected by the three potential routes. Around 300 letters have been sent in total.

"The consultation we launched on Tuesday is a chance for people to have their say and we would encourage anyone to find out more or come and see us at one of our public exhibitions."

YT did ask if they could specify streets but they did not reveal that in their statement.

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ON WEDNESDAY morning, residents of Heath Road in Orsett received a letter from the Consultation Manager for Highways England, Martin Potts.

The letter stated: "Whilst there is no definite decision on a route yet, I am writing to advise you that your property or land is on or near one of the routes for consideration and it is possible that some or all of your property or land may be needed in the future to enable the crossing to go ahead.

It is the letter of nightmares. The type of letter you have seen residents get due to Crossrail, the Newbury By-Pass or when the M25 was built. But you never think it will happen to you.

YT understands that Heath Road is not alone. We have written to Highways Agency for a full list of the affected streets.

We also understand that this letter has come as a "complete surprise" to Thurrock Council.

Naturally, there are a large number of questions to be asked regarding this. Residents will no doubt be asking about compulsory purchase orders, the value of their houses just now and whether the plans would or should have come up in matters such as property search when purchasing or planning applications.

So, we are compiling a list of streets that have been written to.

Heath Road

Heath Farm

Stifford Clays Road

Badgers Mount

Baker Street

Woolings Close

Blue Anchor Lane

Ockendon Road, Upminster

We will be adding to this list as we go.

If you know of any more streets/roads etc then please contact us at

newsdesk@yourthurrock.com

or

07757167689