THURROCK Council has issued a joint statement in association with Thames neighbour Gravesham Council welcoming the withdrawal of Highways England's application for a Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames Crossing.

Highways England made its announcement last week and, while details about why they did so remain sketchy, it appears clear the planning inspectorate had some fundamental concerns about the scheme.

Thurrock Council leader has interjected briefly into the post-withdrawal comment, saying: "I am pleased to see that that Highways England are responding to issues raised by the local authorities where this proposed new crossing will have a huge impact.

"We will continue to work along with our partners to engage with Highways England and to secure the best outcome for our residents in Thurrock."

His counterpart at Gravesham, Cllr John Burden, was a little more forthright, saying: "This can only be good news. It suggests the Planning Inspectorate has found fundamental issues with the DCO.

"We have said all along that while we remain opposed to the project, we reluctantly and unfortunately accept the Lower Thames Crossing will go ahead.

"But we are determined it will go ahead with the best interests of the whole community of Gravesham, but specifically those closest to it and whose lives will be impacted the most by it, at its heart.

"This delay gives us the chance to drive that point home to Highways England with even greater force."

The joint statement reads: "The Lower Thames Crossing is one of the largest transport infrastructure projects we will see in our lifetimes.

"While we are yet to understand the full reasons behind the withdrawal or what feedback Highways England has received from the Planning Inspectorate, the impact a project of this scale will have on our communities means it is only right that as much time as necessary is taken to ensure every last detail of the project is understood and has been assessed thoroughly.

"Together we had fundamental concerns over the adequacy of the public consultation conducted by the Highways Agency.

"While it will impact Gravesham and Thurrock and in different and specific ways, we feel the overall impact on our local communities will be such that full, genuine and meaningful consultation on the proposals is an absolute minimum requirement if we are to ensure the views of the people we represent are fully taken into account.

"It remains to be seen whether that is a view shared by the Planning Inspectorate and therefore is a contributing factor to the withdrawal of the DCO application.

"We urge Highways England to take this opportunity to bring forward improvements to this scheme that will be for the benefit of all those who live in our boroughs.

"We await further information with interest."

Highways England recently opened applications for tenders for a £2bn tunnels and approaches partner for the project and says that tender process is not affected by the decision to withdraw the DCO.

A spokesman said: "As with all major projects, there is a natural uncertainty of delivering a project of the size and scale of the Lower Thames Crossing. We've withdrawn the DCO application for the Lower Thames Crossing based on early feedback we've had from the Planning Inspectorate.

"We will take time to collate the information required for the specific points raised and will be resubmitting the application early in the new year."