More details of the plans for the Lower Thames Crossing have been released by Highways England: Thames crossing plan details revealed – http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15635823.Thames_crossing_plan_details_revealed/ During the latter part of 2015 and into early 2016, in the initial phase of consultation, we saw a fair few maps showing different options for the Lower Thames Crossing and variants within those options. This is the first time we’ve seen a map showing a spur road going off towards Tilbury from what is an equally unexpected junction to the west of East Tilbury. Presumably, this little surprise is tied in with this development: Plans for a new £1bn terminal at Port of Tilbury lodged with Planning Inspectorate – http://www.yourthurrock.com/2017/11/01/plans-new-1bn-terminal-port-tilbury-lodged-planning-inspectorate/

This is quite a significant addition that has been sprung onto the people of Thurrock seemingly without any warning. Although with the proposals to expand the Port of Tilbury, to be honest, it’s not really that much of a surprise. However, what does rankle is that Highways England blithely present this as a fait accompli knowing that they’ll get away with it. We know that Thurrock Council are formally opposed to the Lower Thames Crossing but with the way the planning system works in relation to projects deemed to be of national strategic importance, that opposition is nothing more than a gesture.

Thurrock Council have set up the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force which basically is a channel of communication between Highways England, the council and ultimately, any residents directly affected by the proposals: Crossing changes to affect 200 landowners – http://www.thurrockindependent.com/2017/11/02/crossing-changes-to-affect-200-landowners/ So while Thurrock Council have expressed their formal opposition to the Lower Thames Crossing, they are obliged to liaise with Highways England and are pathetically grateful to them for any information they release.

If a project is deemed by the government to be of national strategic importance, then any local authorities affected by it, let alone us mere mortals who will be adversely impacted by it have no real say in the matter apart from participating in ‘consultation’ exercises put on by Highways England. ‘Consultations’ that are an exercise in looking at a range of options and essentially picking the least worst one. Forget about any serious questioning of the need for the crossing, discussions about sustainable, future proof transport options and the like – discussions like this are not on the agenda. Which is pretty much what we expect from an economic and political system that’s incapable of taking a long term view, aided and abetted by a planning system designed to meet the needs of big business regardless of the environmental consequences.

There was an outpouring of opposition to the Lower Thames Crossing proposals towards the end of 2015 and into the early part of 2016 when the initial consultations took place. The problem was that many of the opponents took the view that they could win by working within the system and arguing their case. Well, that didn’t work with the development by Redrow Homes of an estate of executive homes up at Dry Street whose construction is now well under way. It sure as hell won’t work against an unaccountable agency such as Highways England. Purely as a point of information, we’ll leave you with this: Earth First! – https://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/