THURROCK MP Jackie Doyle-Price believes the Facebook Thames Crossing Proposals campaign page on Facebook is “ill-informed”, “politically motivated”, and damaging any prospect of defeating Route Three.

Her words come after the group said they had “lost confidence” in the MP when one of their members received a letter from Ms Doyle-Price saying the “battle had been lost” in an attempt to re-open the possibility of a new crossing landing in Canvey and away from Thurrock.

Ms Doyle-Price said she’s being completely honest with people over Option D, which was dismissed as an option a number of years ago by the government.

She said: “I am being completely honest with people. The battle for Option D is lost. It is quite plain for all to see. Highways England is looking at four options and they are all in Thurrock. I am not going to mislead people by pretending that there is any possibility that Option D will be considered. Those that claim otherwise are simply deceiving the public.

“The best way now to defeat the Option C (route three) that we have always been opposed to, and which is now Highways England’s favoured route, is to unite behind route 4 (a road which runs north to the A127, running alongside Horndon).

“We have poor air quality in the west of the borough and serious traffic congestion is happening more and more often. That is because the Dartford crossing is operating at capacity and it will only be relieved by a new river crossing. It falls to those of us who are in a position of leadership to engage in constructive dialogue with our constituents so that we get the best possible outcome for all the residents of Thurrock. Simply ignoring the issues around the Dartford crossing is a dereliction of duty.”

On the subject of the Facebook group, which now stands at over 9,000 members, the MP said: “Sadly some of those organising the Facebook group have different motivations. I am not surprised that Labours ex Councillor Gaywood, Councillor Lyn Worrall and Councillor Gerard Rice have used the group to attack me personally. But in putting their political battles ahead of what is right for Thurrock, they are letting people down.

“The arguments expressed in the letter from the group are ill-informed and superficial. They claim to have over 9,000 members and that it is a group which is run by Thurrock residents for Thurrock residents.

“However, most of the members have been auto-enrolled and many of the posters come from outside Thurrock. Their claims to be representative of local opinion simply lack credibility. Any resident that is putting their confidence in this group ought to think about finding other ways of making their views known. Representation needs to be well argued, factually accurate and have substance.

Ms Doyle-Price added: “Faced with an issue like this, it is my job to lead, not simply follow the herd. I will always say it as it is.”