DESPITE the fact that no formal approval has been given for the proposed route of the Lower Thames Crossing, the government agency Highways England has confirmed their contractors have gone into 'early mobilisation' with continued exploratory work on the project.

Over recent months many fields on or adjacent to the proposed route of the crossing from tunnel landfall near East Tilbury to a planned M25 connection between junctions 29 and 30 close to North Ockendon have seen drilling and work by investigations teams.

Now work seems to have picked up a pace with swathes of land either side of the A13 close to Orsett playing host to works - with hundreds of marker points laid out.

Contractors have also set up a yard with mobile offices, security fencing and floodlighting.

Highways England has confirmed the new work is a continuation of their preparation for an application.

Contractors are carrying out archaeological surveys as part of their preparation of the application to government which they currently plan to submit in the summer. The proposed route is close to sites of historical interest and the area has a history of finds and sites going back to Roman times.

The Development Consent Order they will be applying for is the means of obtaining permission for developments categorised as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

The floodlighting that has recently been erected has already brought some disruption and distraction to homes and roads close by.

Laura Blake, a leading campaigner with the Thames Crossing Action Group, reports that Highways England - after initially denying responsibility for the new site adjacent to Stifford Clays Road - has now apologised and said the work is part of their programme.

Laura said: "When I originally contacted HE to ask if it was them, and ask them if it was could they kindly reposition the huge security light that was glaring right in drivers' eyes as you drove by at night, they said it was not one of their Ground Investigation or Archaelogical Survey sites.

"However, we have since had a further email confirming it is actually them. They apologised for any confusion and said that their contractor had started early mobilisation in the area ahead of programme.

"They confirmed the tower lighting is for security and health and safety and that it has now been repositioned and reflections checked.

"This should mean the lights should no longer be an issue for anyone driving by this site after dark. However, if anyone has any issues regarding this again please let us o Highways England know!"

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