UPDATED Lower Thames Crossing plans have once again been slammed as having “nothing positive in them for Thurrock”.

Highways England made a presentation to the Lower Thames Crossing Task Force, but the crack team monitoring the proposals were far from impressed.

The presentation highlighted the number of changes which had been made since the ‘current thinking’ map was published in November 2017, which Highways England claim is based on traffic modelling.

Some unwelcome new elements of the scheme are a motorway rest area, beside East Tilbury, and the road forming three lanes rather than two north of the A13. Following the announcement of the updated plans, Thurrock Council stated it would seek a judicial review - which could halt the plans altogether.

Councillor Peter Smith, chair of the Lower Thames Crossing task force, said “There is absolutely nothing positive in this scheme for Thurrock, we will be left with a six lane motorway for traffic merely passing through while we endure the construction impacts.

“If development consent is granted all we will be left with is the tremendous impact from the construction itself, which includes noise, dust, vibration and disturbance. Highways England estimate the scheme will take six years to build, beginning in 2021, and for three years of that time tunnel boring machines will be running 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Rob Gledhill, leader of Thurrock Council, echoed Mr Smith admitting there was “no obvious” benefits to the people of Thurrock, and continued to urge councillors to support his motion for a judicial review. He said: “The proposed Lower Thames Crossing is now a three lane motorway which will tear through the borough, all of which is above ground. There are no obvious benefits for local residents or businesses, there’s no Tilbury link road or improved connectivity within the borough. For Highways England to describe the mess at the A13 Junction as ‘simplification’ simply beggars belief.

“We will go to any lengths in fighting these abysmal proposals, even if that means legal action, and I will be calling on all councillors to back my motion to seek a Judicial Review at full council later this month.”

A new consultation has now been launched on the latest design improvements – running until December 20. To complete the online survey visit highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/ltc/consultation/