THIS week sees the start of the public information events being held by Highways England for the final consultation required under sections 47/48 of the Planning Act 2008 with respect to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing Route C through Thurrock and our southern neighbour Gravesham.

The route is already established – albeit within a very wide corridor – so this is the Environmental Impact Assessment required by the Infrastructure Planning Regulations 2017.

The schedule of events is already available in the local press and via other public notices.

Please make sure you attend one of these and that you submit a personal consultative response by the deadline of this December 20.

Countersigning the sub-mission of another person let alone adding your name to a petition will not count and your voice will be ignored – the mistake so many thousands of us made last year.

There are powerful forces already lined up against us ranging from the Westminster Cabinet, MPs, County Councils and even some local councillors who have already been swayed by prospects on offer if this scheme goes ahead with minimum opposition.

For example, Essex County Council have already produced a motion calling for “an urgent start to work” before this consultation even gets under way.

Also watch out for the notices being places on posts and walls announcing the need for more land to create access roads during the construction phase.

Linford has had one involving the destruction of significant part of our recreation ground, a strip of farmland and our allotments and not a peep from our two Thurrock Independent councillors.

Take part and ask for this route to be put down even lower – do not leave it to others – as Highways England might at least then produce environmental protection measures that our politicians feel they can justify to their electorates.

MIKE COBB

Stafford Close,

Linford