THE Highways Agency has responded to local social media suggestions that it and the Lower Thames Crossing project is buying up local stocks of hay and driving up the price - causing problems for local equestrian centres and horse owners.

It has been reported several times on social media, on various local sites that the agency has forced up local hay prices by buying up all stocks and offering top prices.

However, Thurrock Nub News has spoken to the agency who have confirmed that is not the case.

A statement says: "I've checked with our colleagues at the Lower Thames Crossing project and they have confirmed the following:

"One of our delivery partners has purchased one bale of hay from a local supplier to support water vole translocation activities, which form part of the ecological mitigation works for the Lower Thames Crossing project.

"Moving water voles must be carried out under licence from Natural England and within a short seasonal window, typically between mid‑March and mid‑April. As part of this process, we are required to meet the animals' welfare and dietary needs, including the provision of hay, which is why the single bale was purchased.

"The bale of hay was purchased at market rate."

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