A REPORT set to be published by Thurrock Council outlines 57 schemes the council is calling on Highways England to take to offset negative impacts the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is likely to have on the borough.

The report which was published today (24 February) calls on Highways England to take measures to reduce the negative impacts of the proposed development by:

• ensuring that construction does not create undue traffic and pollution issues by carefully managing processes and ensuring innovative transport schemes are in place and used throughout the construction period

• providing additional new green spaces and public rights of way for Thurrock as part of the LTC scheme

• improving local road infrastructure including making sure local residents and businesses have adequate access to the new road and improving the borough's 5G connections

Thurrock Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill said: "We have always provided strong opposition to Highways England's proposals and we have seen some success through our engagement, including the recent withdrawal of their Development Consent Order application.

"This is a national infrastructure scheme that must put the needs, welfare and prosperity of Thurrock's residents first. We call on Highways England to look at the details of this report, rethink their approach and if they are to continue with the scheme to do everything they can to limit the negative impacts and ensure it delivers benefits for all residents of Thurrock."

Cabinet Member for Regeneration Cllr Mark Coxshall, said: "A year ago we published a report outlining the economic harms the proposed LTC scheme will bring to Thurrock, now we have provided the solutions and mitigation measures for a great many of those issues.

"We have long voiced our opposition to this route and we have had some success but not enough. It is important that as a minimum the 57 actions we have identified here are incorporated into the scheme."

Cllr Fraser Massey, chairman of the council's lower Thames Crossing task force, said: "With the withdrawal of the DCO last year we have another opportunity to make our voices heard. I urge any residents who are concerned about the impact Highways England's proposals will have on our borough to register as an 'Interested Party' and make their voice heard when the new Development Consent Order is submitted this year."