Thurrock Council is urging the government to use the delay to a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing to properly weigh up the impacts the road will have on Thurrock’s communities, and alternatives, before they make a final decision.
The government announced this week its plans to delay the decision until at least May 2025.
Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: "It is disappointing that a decision has been delayed, leaving a dark cloud hanging over the people of Thurrock. All the while we don’t have clarity about the future of this project, home and landowners are left in limbo when planning their futures. I urge the government to look quickly at all the facts. I am confident the evidence points to one clear decision, which is to scrap this costly, disruptive and unnecessary project.
"These current plans would do nothing to improve congestion locally or regionally and would add little capacity to the national strategic road network. 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."
Matt Jackson, Lower Thames Crossing Action Group, said: "Thames Crossing Action Group are disappointed with the further delay to a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing. This leaves residents blighted, with anxiety paying a huge toll on health and wellbeing.
"It is about time the government made the Lower Thames Crossing extinct as the dinosaur project it is. Paying £10bn for just five years relief at Dartford is not good enough. Putting freight on rail is a sustainable long term solution we should be looking at, not more road building. This would be greener, faster, and cheaper."
More information on the announcement can be found at GOV.UK: Lower Thames Crossing: development consent decision extension.