A £30,000 fund has been identified to support Thurrock Council’s response to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing options and provide assistance for residents’ replies to Highways England.

The additional money will need to be approved by the whole council later this month, but portfolio holder for highways, Councillor Oliver Gerrish is optimistic it will go through.

He said: “To most people £30,000 is a lot of money, but when it comes to the outrageous proposals being presented to the people of Thurrock by Highways England, it is necessary and does not compare with the millions they are spending.

“We want to see an expert brought in for technical and legal counsel to back our claims that the crossing should not destroy our homes, businesses and green belt.

“Highways England has said the crossing could cost up to £6 billion but the benefit would see a reduction in journey times of three whole minutes, and take just 14 per cent of traffic off the existing crossing and create only 5,000 jobs nationally.

“In my mind, that just doesn’t add up. I’ve spoken to our regeneration partners who said that when big projects are planned they work to a £40,000 per job sum – not £1.2 million.”

He added: “The £30,000 will also help the communications team ensure messages are heard in the community but we must all continue help spread the word – No more crossings in Thurrock”.

For more information, visit thurrock.gov.uk/thames-crossing

To see the proposals and take part in the consultation, go to lower-thames-crossing.co.uk