RESIDENTS in Esast Tilbury have learned that the planned rest and service station area on the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, which would have been adjacent to the village, has been scrapped.

A series of changes to the whole crossing scheme have been announced by Highways England, which has just laucnhed a new consultation on the project.

Other updates to the design which include Thurrock include:

Moving the alignment of the route between Tilbury and the A13 junction by approximately 60 metres (north-east) to avoid pylons and overhead cables;

Redesigning some slip roads around the A13/A1089 junction to move roads away from properties, improve safety at the junctions, and improve visual impact, and;

Removing one lane southbound between the M25 and A13 junction to reduce the amount of land required, while still providing sufficient capacity.

Highways England say the changes have been made after 'detailed analysis' of the 29,000 responses received during the last consultation held in 2018, and new technical information following surveys and ground investigations.

The crossing will provide a new 14.3-mile 70mph road through Thurrock connecting north Kent and the M25 near South Ockendon with the world's third-widest bored tunnel.

The new eight-week consultation begins at midnight tonight and will end at on 25 March. Details of events as part of the consultation can be found via the red button below.

Chris Taylor, Director of Highways England's Complex Infrastructure Programme, said: "The Lower Thames Crossing is Highways England's most ambitious project in 30 years, designed to improve journeys across the southeast and open up new connections and opportunities for people and businesses.

"Getting the views of the local community and businesses is crucial to designing a project that will offer the best value, maximise the benefits for all, while reducing the impact on local communities and the environment.

"This consultation is a chance for people to review and comment on a number of changes made since our last consultation in 2018, and to help shape this once-in-a-generation project."