ANTI-Lower Thames Crossing campaigners have called on all work on the crossing to be stopped immediately and have slammed Highways England for sending out teams of workers in what appear to be blatant breaches of the coronavirus guidelines.

The Lower Thames Action Group has compiled a series of pictures showing workers in close proximity to each other while carrying out tasks that the organisation believes are far from 'essential'.

A spokesperson for the group says: "We have already commented about how the Lower Thames Crossing Supplementary Consultation should be postponed until after the coronavirus crisis has passed. But we are also calling for all LTC work to be halted immediately too.

"On the evening of March 23rd our Prime Minister put our country on lockdown. Only critical essential workers that couldn't work from home should be going to work. He clearly stated as have many other officials that we all need to #StayHomeSaveLives.

"He has said it is vital that those that do have to go to work should be following Public Health England rules on social distancing and "ensure" the necessary protection.

"So why are we seeing LTC workers on sites, carrying on working as though it is business as usual? Just to be completely clear here, we the admin team have not been out ourselves, the info comes to us from concerned residents who can see the sites from their homes/gardens.

"Also to be clear we are under the impression that some of these workers do not seem at all happy about being made to work with things as they stand. Remember they may be in a position where they feel they don't have any other option. It is Highways England and the companies they have contracted to carry out these survey works that should be closing down the sites at this time.

"At one point one of the workers actually approached the resident, thankfully there is a ditch between the field and his property which forced a safe distance. The resident was told he was not allowed to film. Bearing in mind he was on his own property and very concerned at what he has been seeing. Makes you wonder what Highways England have to hide?"

"In Orsett, along Baker Street, a resident captured a picture of Highways England workers together. The resident shouted across the road to them asking "which bit of "distancing " did they not understand … and why are they at work anyway".

"This resident's daughter is one of our amazing and brave NHS nurses currently risking her life on a daily basis to try and save others.

"At TCAG respect and thank all the amazing critical keyworkers in our country. How disgraceful that Highways England it seems do not respect and value them, and their own staff, and all the rest of our lives."

The group go on to say that they have contacted Highways England but have just received platitudes saying thei are adhering to guidelines – despite those guidelines making specific reference to things that Highways England workers are demonstrably ignoring. Check out Action Group's site

Action Group vice-chairman Laura Blake says: "Highways England is just not fit for purpose. Sadly and despicably they are continuing as if it is business as usual. Highways England clearly don't have any respect, ethics or morals.

"How can we trust them to act honorably towards Thurrock if they can't do it to their own workers?"

Ms Blake reminded residents that, despite a call by the action group for consultation to be postponed, it is still going on online and has been extended to 23:59 on Thursday, 2 April.

She added: "We are still doing all we can to try and get HE to postpone the whole consultation, and all LTC related works until after the Coronavirus crisis has passed."

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