The Lower Thames Crossing has caused a great deal of political controversy, but the people most affected by it are the residents who will have the route right on their doorsteps.

Joy Pease, 54, of Baker Street, Orsett, said: “How can Highways England justify the biggest spaghetti junction in Europe in the middle of a residential area?

“There are numerous accidents already in and around Thurrock in HGVs, so this will be a death trap.”

Tracey Payne, 44, a finance administrator from Welling Road, Orsett, said she was “absolutely gutted”.

She said: “I live in Orsett and I moved out of London to live more ‘locally’ and now I will live here with my daughter under the shadow of this monstrosity.

“The consultation in 2016 was flawed in many ways, not least the failure to ensure it was accessible to all (if it weren’t for local groups it wouldn’t be a prominent an issue as it is now) and the outdated traffic data.

“We already live in a heavily congested area throughout the whole of the proposed route and we already have so many serious accidents due to the amount of large A roads and motorways in the area.

“I like many others don’t want to leave our homes or we can’t afford to and it feels like no one actually cares what the reality will be like living with this once built, not to mention the years of roadwork.”

Dot Stanley, 64, of Feenan Highway, Tilbury, who is retired, added: “I am disgusted.

“It is the fact that the pollution in surrounding areas is so high.

“I attended meetings where we were told that a baby born in Tilbury today is expected to have 10 years less life expectancy due to the existing pollution from the heavy vehicles.

“Since then, we have had massive warehouses built and HE still want to poison us more by suffocating us with the monstrosity of motorways to enable this crossing.

“People’s homes are going to be destroyed.

“As I said in the beginning, I think it’s disgusting.” 

Kev Mulqueen, 54, a Commercial Vehicle Technician from Chadwell St Mary, who has lived in Thurrock for more than 50 years, added: "I'm disgusted with the way Highways England has carried on it business of destroying a once nice place to live.

"There will be a mass exodus of people who realise the impact this monstrosity will create.

"I will be moving out the area as soon as humanly possible as I fear for my kids health.

"RIP Thurrock."

This reaction comes after Highway England announced the 'red line boundaries' which will encompass the proposed new route for the Lower Thames Crossing.

It is expected to run from the M25, connecting with the A13 near Orsett, through a new tunnel underneath the Thames Estuary from East Tilbury over to Kent near Gravesend.

Chair of the Thames Crossing Action Group (TCAG), Matt Jackson, believes the plan looks over-complicated.

He said: “Some of the proposals don’t make sense.

“The complexity of the revised Baker St junction begs a huge question on its design - it looks impossible to construct and it’s doubtful this will enable HGVs to have safe passage when using it.

“The Action Group hope to see a better proposal than this.”

He also pointed out that the plans do not address the issue of increased air pollution in the area.

He added: “We already have a serious air quality problem in the borough, so inviting 60,000 more vehicles will only impact the area.

“Do Highways England really want to bring more carnage to the area?”

Highways England project director for the Lower Thames Crossing, Tim Jones, defended the crossing, saying it will have economic benefits.

He said: "The Lower Thames Crossing offers a once in a generation opportunity to significantly improve connections between Essex, Thurrock and Kent.

"This new crossing will create an £8 billion stimulus to the UK economy, by increasing capacity to cross the Thames by 70 per cent when it opens in 2027, providing some much needed relief for the Dartford Crossing.

"We are working closely with communities and local authorities to ensure we make the most of the potential to unlock economic growth, provide more jobs and homes while providing improved access to leisure and retail opportunities.

"The design changes we are proposing have been shaped by the feedback we received from our consultation and there will a further opportunity for people to comment in a public consultation next year.”

Monthly meetings are currently in place with Thurrock Council, Highways England and the TCAG, with the next one taking place on November 20. 

There will also be a community meeting organised by the TCAG on November 26 at 3pm.