THURROCK Council's Thames Crossing Task Force has been saved from the axe after ruling Conservatives plans to shelve it were outvoted last night (Monday, 3 August).

At the council's general services committee, regeneration portfolio holder Cllr Mark Coxshall wanted to close the group, which comprises councillors and invited nominees, saying its work was now concluded as the consultation period was drawing to a close. However, he did describe some of Highways England's actions around its latest consultation as 'despicable' – singling out the way the government agency has not negotiated with Travellers whose homes are at risk because of the project.

He added that Highways England, which has described the changes it wanted as 'minor' was acting trying to implement 'drastic' changes to the scheme.

Despite that, he tabled a the resolution to close the Task Force but Labour's representatives on the committee, Cllrs John Kent and Bukky Okunade, together with independent councillors Fraser Massey and Gary Byrne outvoted Cllr Coxshall and his Tory colleagues Cllrs Rob Gledhill and James Halden so the task force will remain in place – at least until the next general services committee in the autumn!

Cllr Coxshall said he was happy to see the task force continue but that at some point things would have to change and that he did think that another body would be put in place to carry on the task force's work, adding: "There will be other groups and working streams coming forward that we need to have, and I am open to what those specific groups will be with the nitty gritty knowledge that is needed. Highways England do need to know we are still on this."

After the meeting Cllr Massey, who is the recently appointed chair of the task force, said: "Councillors of all parties and groups spoke to add weight to the harm this crossing will bring to many residents of Thurrock in many different areas of effect.

"It was a really interesting meeting and some good points were raised and discussed. I think this and future meetings will help to focus goals and points of action for Thurrock in regards to the Lower Thames Crossing proposals.

"It is clear to myself that many residents of East Tilbury ward and Thurrock do not support the Lower Thames Crossing as it is being proposed. When the task force is dissolved at some point into General Services I hope to continue the fight and mitigation against this awful road project. It will cost lives due to pollution, in my opinion may cause more premature deaths due to pollution currently than Covid-19 has caused in Thurrock.

"The LTC task force is still alive after tonight, it does has limited time to achieve goals and will be working with all members of the task force to try and ensure these are carried forward to any new plans."

News that the Task Force will remain in place for the moment was welcomed by the local Thames Crossing action group which is campaigning against the crossing route, and its spokesperson Laura Blake said: "Thank you Cllr Fraser Massey and all the other councillors who spoke up in favour of not ending the LTC Task Force until definite and appropriate alternative plans are agreed upon to ensure that the work that remains with regard to LTC continues and includes communications with and involvement from members of the public, including Thames Crossing Action Group, and is not just council member focused.

"We hope to discuss ideas, suggestions, and possibilities with the rest of the LTC Task Force at the next meeting on August 17, which can hopefully be put to the General Services Committee moving forward.

Last night Thurrock Nub News posted a brief film of some of the work currently being carried on on the crossing project. You can view it here.