DISTRAUGHT residents have received letters from Highways England telling them their home and land may be needed for the new Thames crossing.

The letter, seen by the Gazette, reads: "Whilst there is no definite decision on a route yet, I am writing to advise you that your property or land is on or near one of the routes for consideration and it is possible that some or all of your property or land may be needed in the future to enable the crossing to go ahead.”

The letter has been met with disbelief by many in Thurrock who are still getting over this week’s announcement that the governments preferred route is a tunnel that will land in between Tilbury and East Tilbury, before running through Chadwell St Mary, Orsett and Ockendon before joining the M25.

The letter seen by the Gazette was received by a resident of Heath Road, Orsett, but we understand a number of other residents on roads that would be affected by the proposed route have also received the letter.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “No one wants this new crossing, me included, and now I’m being told I’ll have to give up my house. It’s criminal.

“I’ve around here all my life, and I won’t be moving for anybody.”

A proposed drawing shows a spaghetti junction-style road layout where the current A13/A1089 junction is just before the Orsett Cock.

Many on the Thames Crossing Proposal Facebook page have written of their shock at receiving the letter. Karen Leyman said: “Just received a letter this morning advising me that my house could run in the path of the new crossing, I am absolutely gutted.”

The letter, sent and signed by Martin Potts, the consultation manager for Highways, states: “A number of options are being considered. As part of this process potentially affected landowners/tenants are being contacted to ensure that they have the opportunity to put forward their views during the public consultations.”

Route three would be 14.2 miles long with an estimated cost of up to £5.9 billion. Highways also estimate up to 14 residential properties could be affected, as well as 22 traveller plots and three agricultural sites.

They estimate with public funding the route could be ready by 2025, and with private funding 2027.

An online petition against the proposals has reached nearly 8,000 names. It can be signed at you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-new-lower-thames-crossing-into-essex

A number of public are due to take place in Thurrock in the coming weeks in line with the consultation, which runs until March 24. For more information and to take part go to lower-thames-crossing.co.uk