Councillors and business leaders told of Thurrock Council’s objections to the Lower Thames Crossing

Councillors and business leaders told of Thurrock Council’s objections to the Lower Thames Crossing

COUNCILLORS and business leaders from across the South East have been told that Thurrock Council is united in its opposition to Highways England’s Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) plans.

Addressing last Thursday’s South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) Special Strategic Board meeting, Cllr Gledhill explained that Thurrock Councillors are unanimously against the scheme and stand shoulder to shoulder, irrespective of party lines, in their objections to the plans Highways England are currently consulting on.

Cllr Gledhill has also written to the Thurrock Business Board outlining concerns with the scheme and the negative impact it will have on Thurrock’s environment and economy.

He will now write to all SELEP members to seek their backing as the council explores the possibility of launching a judicial review.

Some of the key proposals which will have huge detrimental impacts on Thurrock are:

No plans to connect the Port of Tilbury to the LTC, which is a significant change in less than a year since the inclusion of the Tilbury link road was announced in November 2017
No access to the LTC from the eastbound A13
There will be no access to the LTC from the Orsett Cock Roundabout
The new road will include elevated structures over the Tilbury loop line and the Mardyke Valley which will be visible and a scar on the local landscape
The three lane motorway will mean construction impacts will have to be endured for at least six years severely affecting health, wellbeing and quality of life
The local economy will be constrained by ongoing issues with traffic and congestion as a result of the works, all leading to a significant change to the landscape of the locality, which will provide a division between the east and west of the Borough with very little local benefit
Cllr Rob Gledhill, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “It was good to hear other councillors on SELEP make it clear that I have taken any and every opportunity to voice why Thurrock Council stand opposed to the crossing as proposed.

“I again took the opportunity to express my disgust of the proposals put forward by Highways England and make it clear that we will fight tooth and nail to oppose their plans.

“I will be seeking support for possible legal action from all Councillors at this week’s Full Council and we have already agreed to commit the funding necessary to apply for a judicial review.

“Highways England will have a fight on their hands and I will continue to bang the drum and look to gain support for Thurrock’s objections.

“I would encourage all residents to take part in the public consultation to let Highways England know just what they think of their plans.”

Residents can have their say at:https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/ltc/consultation/