The debate over the Lower Thames Crossing took a step forward after further information was unveiled during a council meeting.

On Monday, November 20, members of the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force, made up of Thurrock councillors and members of the Thames Crossing Action Group, met to discuss the latest developments of the crossing and the new road that will run through Thurrock which will connect it.

During that meeting, representatives of Highways England announced the plans of their proposed route in greater detail.

Earlier this month, Highways England unveiled their plans to build a road which left the M25 between North and South Ockendon, travelled around the Orsett Fens, crossed the A13 near Orsett and met the Thames next to East Tilbury where it then crossed over to North Kent.

Although the route remains the same, further detail on how the road will connect with other roads was disclosed during the meeting, which was also attended by members of the public.

It was announced by a representative of Highways England that the proposed road would go over the Tilbury loop line and then underneath the A13.

After passing above the A13, the road would then rise - in order to stay above flooding levels - and curve around the Orsett Fens.

Then, when it reached the M25, it would run beneath the busy motorway and connect to it via the London side.

It was also announced that another roundabout would be put in place to connect the A13 and the A1013, which run adjacent to each other.

Matt Jackson, from the Thames Crossing Action Group, voiced his concerns over the proposed new roundabout, believing that it will not alleviate congestion in the area.

During the meeting, Mr Jackson said: "I have some severe concerns with them joining that road.

"That is not 'getting Thurrock moving' and we need to keep an eye on that."

Addressing this concern, Peter Smith, Chair of the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force, said: "The crossover traffic will probably be the stig of the problem with this proposed road.

"So, in answer to your question, yes, we will be on it like a car bonnet."

A spokesman for Highways England said during the meeting: "We know that air quality is poorer when cars are stationary.

"So we need to make sure that all of that traffic moves sensibly."

Highways England hope to begin the consultation process by the end of summer next year.

They hope to start working on the road by 2021, and they expect to finish work on the crossing by 2027.