RESIDENTS in east Tilbury have been alerted to new surveys being carried out by the tam plotting the way for the Lower Thames Crossing – but concern has been expressed about where they will be working and why.

Highways England, who are carrying out survey work prior to submitting a bid for development consent for the controversial crossing, have informed local people that they have authorised magnitude surveys that will be starting in East Tilbury village from tomorrow (Thursday, 11 June).

The agency says the geo-physical surveys are preparatory activities to help it better understand deeply buried archaeological remains along the proposed route of the Lower Thames Crossing and in the wider area.

The surveys will be carried out on private fields to the east of Princess Margaret Road and will last for up to five days.

Surveyors will be carrying out 'non-intrusive' walkover surveys which involves walking across the fields with scanning equipment. They will access the fields via footpath 51 on Princess Margaret Road. This work will not affect access to public footpaths.

Residents have questioned why the survey is taking place in the village area, which is not part of the projected route of the crossing and what the purpose of the survey might therefore be.