THE leaders of Thurrock's three major political parties have written to Highways England complaining of the organisation’s “cavalier attitude” towards residents and the council after it was revealed home owners in the borough had received letters from Highways telling them their house may be needed as part of the new Thames crossing route.

Councillors John Kent, Rob Gledhill and Graham Snell, from Labour, the Conservative’s and Ukip respectively, have written to Martin Potts, who is leading the controversial project for Highways England.

In the letter they "unanimously object" to Highways "insensitive letter to residents, landowners and businesses informing them they may be directly affected" by the plans.

It adds: "Our complaint is your apparent complete disregard for the impact your surprise letter has had on residents in the borough at such an early stage in the current consultation process. Letters have gone to all residents on or near the three route options and therefore prematurely alarmed residents whose home may never be needed for your scheme."

The Gazette yesterday reported residents had to started to receive letters telling them their property and land could be needed depending on which route the government decide on.

The letter read: "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.”

Mr Kent said: "There are numerous issues that have sprung up since Tuesday's announcement by Highways England. One of the most worrying is people wondering why the council continued granting planning permission for homes which are now on the proposed routes and under threat.

"The answer is that we had no choice, planning is a heavily regulated legal process.

"We did not know the route and even now all we have is three very wide lines through the borough. Highways England has not shown us their detailed workings, they did not share with us that they were going to send out hundreds of letters, and they still haven't told us who those letters have gone to.

"As this is still at the non-statutory consultation stage and as there are still three official options - although there is a preferred one - we will still have to grant planning permissions along the route if applications are made.

"The difference now is that we can add a rider explaining Highways England's intentions as best as we can."

He added: "What I can say - now that the phoney war is over, and we know what we're battling against - is that Thurrock Council will stand with everyone who is affected by this.

"We will, of course, allow Highways England to try and explain their reasoning and their processes, but we will also help local people and help make sure they are fully aware of Highways England's proposals and support them as best we can through that process."