After the Government announced that the Lower Thames Crossing project had been granted planning approval. Essex County Council issued a largely positive statement on the potential impacts of the £10 billion scheme.
Councillor Louise McKinlay, Essex County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, said:
“The Lower Thames Crossing project is clearly important to economic growth and prosperity, both in Essex and across the wider region, better connecting Essex with our neighbours in Kent, as well as London and the north, whilst at the same time helping to reduce congestion at the Dartford Crossing.
“The economic benefits of the new crossing will be huge; creating new job opportunities during the delivery phase, and unlocking significant growth across the region, but there will be impacts on local residents living near the construction site and as the project moves forward. We will work closely with National Highways to help mitigate the impacts, while ensuring the residents of Essex benefit from the opportunities this new infrastructure will bring.”
Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, had previously expressed concerns about the scheme’s effects on congestion:
“These current plans would do nothing to improve congestion locally or regionally and would add little capacity to the national strategic road network,” he said in October. “They would, however, cut Thurrock in two, severing communities, bring huge amounts of pollution to the borough, but bring no discernible benefits for local people. Given the government’s focus on the environment, surely this investment could be better made in greener forms of travel, such as improving our train network or investing in river transport.”
The crossing will reduce congestion on the Dartford Crossing with a new motorway-style road. However, it would cut through large swathes of Thurrock green belt and campaigners and cross party politicians have fought against it.
Following the announcement, Jen Craft Labour MP for Thurrock, told Your Harlow: “I am obviously disappointed by today’s decision. I still have concerns around the disruption this scheme will cause to local residents and the impact on air quality in the area.
“I fully recognise that congestion at the Dartford Crossing is causing misery for drivers, but building more roads is not the answer. I still believe that alternatives such as investment in cross river public transport would provide a more sustainable solution.”
Conservative Barry Johnson, shadow councillor for place and environment said he was “devastated and appalled” by the decision. He said: “This will not solve the issues around the Dartford Crossing, but will extend them throughout the whole of Thurrock. This is a disastrous decision for Thurrock, it will bulldoze our countryside, gridlock our roads, and pollute our air.”
(Pic: National Highways)
