A TERSE atmosphere between Thurrock Council's assistant director of transport infrastructure and the Lower Thames Crossing and some councillors during Tuesday evening's (9 February) meeting of the authority's transport scrutiny committee caused some comment from online observers.

Ms Eastgate appeared irritated at some lines of questioning as the committee discussed the botched A13 widening and Stanford rail station projects that she has been responsible for. And on more than one occasion she appeared to snap at councillors.

The roots of her upset may lie in a recent meeting of the council's Thames Crossing task force when Ms Eastgate clashed with Tilbury councillor John Allen, who is chair of the transport scrutiny committee, over health issues surrounding the proposed new multi-billion pound highway proposed to be built through the heart of the borough.

Cllr Allen is a significant critic of the scene and quizzed Ms Eastgate over health issues, eventually prompting a real spat between the two – somewhat reminiscent of last week's Handforth parish council meeting touted as 'British comedy gold' and which became an internet hit as councillors and a local government officer clashed.

Cllr Allen asked Ms Eastgate for her opinion of the impact of the planned new road following a report on possible pollution, saying: "In terms of the health impact assessment surely this is going to be somewhat damning. It can't be good.

"I would like to ask Anna how far we have got along with our professionals looking into the assessments.

She responded: "We've got our technical team obviously reviewing all of the documents. We have a weekly meeting to catch up.

"Just for clarity the review of the documents includes the environmental impact assessments.

Cllr Allen asked: "Do you think that report when it comes to fruition will be a damning report that is simply not going to be very positive?"

Her response was emphatic, saying: "Not necessarily, no.

"I think we have already had some disagreements between the view of professional officers and members in regards to various elements of this scheme and it comes back to what we have talked about before, that there are standards associated with the environmental impact assessment and whilst a road going round the back of Chadwell St Mary that doesn't exist now but may exist in ten years' time will clearly have an impact on air quality because there isn't a road there, there aren't vehicles going past there at the moment it doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to breach the standards.

"And it's only when something has a significant environmental effect that Highways England has to mitigate it.

"So no. I don't agree I'm afraid. And I don't think that all of the relevant environmental impacts associated with this scheme are going to have detrimental impact on the borough.

"I think there's a perception more than a reality and unfortunately unless something breaches those standards Highways England doesn't have to mitigate it.

"And that's the law of the land. It's not Highways' England's fault. It's the same as any developer that submits an application for development in our borough."

Cllr Allen quickly stepped in to say: "I like how you say that Anna. Our borough!"

Ms Eastgate was quickly on the front foot and, clearly irked, said: "Well I've always viewed it as our borough Cllr Allen. And actually I care deeply about what happens in Thurrock so the comments made this evening about officers who don't live in the borough or not caring I actually take quite offence to."

"That's your prerogative," quipped back Cllr Allen prompting task force chair Fraser Massey to intervene and say; "Let's keep it professional. I know you may have a difference of opinion but take it offline."

That didn't stop Cllr Allen who said: "Sometimes I am a little confused who Anna actually works for because I don't think she really has the best interests of Thurrock at heart."

Ms Eastgate gave as good as she got, saying: "I really don't think it's appropriate for Cllr Allen to be making comments against officers in a public forum. Take this offline. I am quite happy to have a conversation separately with him about it."

Cllr Fraser eased the tension by saying: "If you have a difference of opinion, take it off line on that one. Moving on...."

Though there has been no official announcement from the council, Thurrock Nub News understands that Ms Eastgate, who earns around £100,000 a year at Thurrock Council, is leaving the authority to take up a directorship at neighbouring Southend Council.