MEMERS of the Thames Crossing Action Group have released a statement damning the secrecy policies of Highways England after winning an apology from them for not releasing details about potentially unexploded bombs across Thurrock.

The campaigners say this is just the latest in a string of instances where Highways England have acted inappropriately and without due care and consideration for people in the borough – not to mention being in breach of government rules!

Last week Highways England withdrew their application to the government for a Development Consent Order for the crossing and it route through north Kent and Thurrock when it became clear the Planning Inspectorate were unhappy with the lack of information provided by Highways England despite months of investigate work across the area, several rounds of public consultation – and at a cost of tens of millions of pounds.

Part of the application for a consent order contained details about the possibility of unexploded ordnance from the Second World War being disturbed during excavations. The Crossing Group asked Highways England to share the information but were refused.

Now, an appeal to a Freedom of Information Officer has proved successful and a 198 page document on unexploded bombs and ordnance has been shared – and the campaigners have received an apology from Highways England.

A spokesperson for the group said: "This is yet another example of HE's inadequacies and attempts to withhold information that should have been shared. Obviously we are keen to gather as much information as possible on all aspects of the Lower Thames Crossing.

"Because of our local knowledge and the fact that bombs would often get dumped on the way back out from London and targets we had serious concerns about the crossing investigative works being carried out.

"Quite understandably residents whose homes are next to the investigative works sites were very concerned about the risk of unexploded ordnance whilst these works are being carried out. Local knowledge highlighted that there was a very real risk in the area.

"We have a map that shows some known bomb craters in the area. This image was created using knowledge from local residents who lived next to this area through WW2, so know first hand where the bomb craters were.

"There is a clear distance/pattern between craters apart from the missing one which could represent a UXO. This is just part of the local knowledge we have gathered, so you can imagine if you were living next to this location and knew Highways England had workers carrying out investigative works you would have some serious concerns.

"We learnt that one bomb went off near Hall Farm, South Ockendon which impacted the area so greatly that it blew out the windows and damage can still be seen in Townfield Cottages in North Road. Zetica who Highways England have used for their surveys have a free knowledge base on their website which showed the areas in question as being moderate to high risk for unexploded ordnance.

"Yet despite us, residents, and a local councillor explaining the stress it was causing residents, and the need to provide evidence to try and reassure everyone Highways England refused to share any further info.

"While all this has been going on crossing workers on an investigative works site in Gravesend, Kent made a digging location error which resulted in damage to the outside of a gas mains pipe. The agency's response to us was that this showed their safety procedures worked!

"We are of course happy and relieved that that incident wasn't worse than it was, although it did obviously cause some concern to residents in the area. However, had the same thing have happened and it had been an unexploded bomb instead of a gas pipe being hit, we can't see that any amount of safety procedures would have been enough.

"Residents have been extremely stressed and concerned having workers digging on investigative sites in areas known to have unexploded ordnance risk. Having to live literally next to a site where workers have been digging not knowing what might happen next. Since in one of these locations in South Ockendon had numerous other serious concerns relating to the site, it certainly offered residents no reassurance whatsoever.

"We felt it more than reasonable to ask Highways England for evidence and reassurances for those residents to try and help ease the stress it was causing. The agency's withholding the information when we requested it as a Freedom of Information request was just another example of their complete lack of care of concern of the impact they are having on people's lives, health, and well-being.

"We are pleased and relieved that the FOI officer that reviewed our request has come to the same conclusion as us about Highways England wrongly withholding info. We will now be reviewing the information and sharing with the concerned residents, who have had to endure months of stress whilst this has been going on."