IN the wake of today's flag-waving announcement by Highways England that its proposed Lower Thames Crossing is going to be a big boost to the economy of south Essex by creating 22,000 jobs the agency has been criticised by local campaigners for putting out misleading and over-optimistic news.

Despite having hit a major obstacle last year when it had to pull its submission for a development control order (DCO) to the government because it was not telling a complete story about the project, the agency was back in the media spotlight today (Thursday, 28 January) as it championed its proposals.

In a new announcement it said: "Delivery of this transformative project will support 10,000 jobs in the peak year of construction. Over the six-year building phase, it will employ more than 22,000 people, ranging from highly skilled engineers, architects, and designers, to other essential staff such as caterers, sign makers and IT support."

However, there was almost instantaneous condemnation of the announcement by campaigners in Thurrock who branded the story as 'fake news'.

Laura Blake, the driving force behind the Thames Crossing action Group, was on the front foot to challenge Highways England and called on them to show more respect to the public.

She said: "This update is misleading (yet again) for so many reasons. First and foremost because they haven't even been able to submit an acceptable DCO application, let alone been granted one, so there are no guarantees of anything.

"Secondly due to the fact the agency hasn't been granted a DCO so cannot legally start construction how can it honestly state how many people from Kent and Essex will get those jobs even if it does go ahead?

"Highways England must stop trying to mislead people."