Chorus of disapproval grows in wake of Lower Thames Crossing green light
POLITICIANS, businesses, campaigners and residents are continuing to reflect on the announcement earlier this week that the Lower Thames Crossing project has been given the green light.
Work is expected to start next year on the project which has various cost estimates, with the top end of predictions topping £16 billion. The 14.5-mile road is due to link Essex and Kent by two tunnels running underneath the River Thames, landing close to Tilbury on the Thurock side and driving north through green belt, swerving between the communities of East Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary and Orsett before meeting the M25 north of Ockendon.
East Thurrock MP James McMurdock, whose constituency will see the multi-carriageway route carve through its green belt, says: "The decision on the Lower Thames Crossing was an inevitable but truly disappointing blow for the residents of my constituency in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
"This project will bring large amounts of disruption to local people, and yet the benefits fall far short of what they should have been.
"The lack of clear communication with both the council and local residents highlights the ongoing challenges that the country faces with current planning bodies."
The Reform MP sums up by saying: "This is an unacceptable failure, and the Government must take responsibility for the drawn-out process, spiralling costs, and a final outcome that delivers far less than was originally promised."
Not all MPs are so damning.
Dartford's Labour MP Jim Dickson says: "This decision will unlock economic growth across the country and finally deliver a solution to the traffic chaos faced by residents on a daily basis.
"This is a great day for Dartford."
The government has not yet confirmed how it will fund works, though it is likely to include private finance options that are likely to mean the new link will have toll fees.
More than £1.2bn has already been spent prior to this week's announcement.
The Port of Tilbury has welcomed the project's approval, saying it will "improve connectivity" and it hopes to work with the government and National Highways about an additional direct link to its borough ports, which will include a new Tilbury3 project – also confirmed this week.
A statement from owners Forth Ports says: "The Port of Tilbury considers the LTC consent announcement to be positive for the port and the wider Forth Ports Group.
"The LTC scheme will increase the strategic road connectivity to the port's development area within the Thames Freeport Tilbury Tax Site. Over the coming days the port will fully review the plans as consented."
In a report the BBC polled local residents and found mixed reactions.
In Chadwell St Mary Donald Jackson, 77, said he thought the project would be a positive for the area.
"If the QE2 Bridge stops, it causes massive disruption around here, everything blocks up and it clogs everywhere," the retired carpenter said.
"If there's a lower crossing, that would ease congestion."
Tara Matthews, 30, shared concerns about the impact work would have on wildlife.
"Nature is close to by heart and I'm worried," she said.
"Are we going to lose the stag beetles, the slow worms and all the wildlife we've got around here?"
Colin Boughen, a social worker, added: "The air quality is going to deteriorate.
"I've got a lot of breathing problems and I think it's just going to exacerbate it."
The BBC has also spoken to residents who could be displaced because of the proximity of the new road.
Among them is Jackie Thacker, whose home in Orsett is adjacent to the route. Already she has seen neighbours packing their bags and leaving the homes they once loved because of the serene location.
The 75-year-old now faces her own stark choice: sell up or live next to a major road.
"It's been like a noose around our neck, ever since the route was chosen," says Ms Thacker, who has lived in her house for 38 years.
"Ever since we've been here, we've had wonderful neighbours," Ms Thacker says.
"But now the ones we've known for a long time have had to move out due to the pressures brought on by knowing the road was going through.
"It scared the life out of them, so they've moved on now."
It is not the happy end she envisaged for her twilight years. "It's breaking my heart," she admits. "I'm stressed beyond belief.
"I could see myself being here until life's end and having a peaceful life's end, but it's not going to be peaceful anymore."
Leigh Hughes from the Lower Thames Crossing action group believes the fight is not yet over, saying: "Behind the scenes we are fighting this tooth and nail.
"The announcement did come as a shock I'll be perfectly honest. But we are having meetings with MPs to discuss how they need to help and represent their constituents by reiterating why LTC is a waste of money and not fit for purpose,
"We are also working with the Transport action Network on steps going forward.
"It's not over yet there is no money for this project. I would like to say thank you to residents for their support and hope this continues as we might need you to step up and make some noise."
Wildlife campaigners have been deeply shocked by the decision.
Planning & Policy Officer for Kent Wildlife Trust, Emma Waller, says: "We are profoundly disappointed by the government's approval of the Lower Thames Crossing, viewing it as a short-sighted scheme that poses significant threats to both climate and nature.
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