RESIDENTS in the north of the borough have expressed their disappointment, disquiet and disgust at the actions of workers who are part of the investigative team plotting the route of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.

Residents on South Ockendon have reported that the teams from Highways England have created access points to fields close to North Road by filling ditches and dumping rubbish - and that some workers have been seen urinating in public view.

It appears no toilet provision has been made by Highways England for the workers.

Leigh Hughes, vice chair of the Thames Crossing action Group has highlighted local residents' concerns, contacting Highways England to say: "Watching workers urinating against the hedge in full view of motorists and residents isn't really acceptable is it?

"If no portaloos are to be provided could you at least provide a screened off area for them to use?

"To get access to the field for your machinery you have filled in the drainage ditch which is the only drainage for the main road so if it rains it will cause flooding.

"Why hasn't a pipe been laid to prevent this from happening?

"The material used to fill the ditch is earth with plastic bags and general rubbish in it.

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"This is not really acceptable considering this particular field is grade 1 agricultural land and there is only five per cent left in this country.

"Why are you adding contaminated soil to this field and where has it come from?"

And concerns about road safety have been raised, with the Action Group asking: "The site entrance you are forming is on a bend which is a known accident black spot, where over the years there have been fatalities.

"I would have thought you would have considered its position more carefully, as it is dangerous to your workers and motorists alike."

Ward councillor Andrew Jefferies says he is extremely concerned about the actions of Highways England, adding: "I am absolutely appalled and disgusted that HE have allowed workmen to urinate in public, they need to get appropriate facilitates in place immediately.

"They must also remove the rubbish from the ditches they have used to create a road in to the field. This could result in flooding of the road furthermore this entrance is extremely dangerous, it is the site of many traffic accident and more recently a fatality.

"They must stop immediately and work with the owner of the land and residents to find an alternative way on to the field. Better still stop the work all together we don't want the Lower Thames Crossing coming through our village."