THE latest plans for the new Lower Thames Crossing are out – and they’ve not gone down too well in many quarters.
Council leader Rob Gledhill is clearly riled up.
He came out swinging shortly after the announcement summing the proposals up as utterly abysmal.
And he even went as far as to claim the council would go to “any lengths” to fight the plans.
You go Rob – No sitting on the old political fence there.
And it’s fair to say the latest plans, released by Highways England yesterday, are a cause for concern.
Talk and focus has now turned to a three-lane dual carriageway, rather than two lanes in the last plan. That’s basically a new motorway then.
It is anticipated every single councillor will oppose the plans – and a judicial review is likely to be called, which could sink the plan altogether.
From the outset this crossing has courted controversy. And it’s clear to see why. The borough already has one hell of a crossing and many residents can’t see why Thurrock has got to suffer another one.
Many people will also like the direct nature of Mr Gledhill’s comments.
And hopefully these will spur on residents to have their say in the latest consultation which will now run until Christmas.
In the meantime, we’ll wait and see if Mr Gledhill’s rallying cry gets the necessary backing of his fellow councillors to launch an appeal against the crossing plan.
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