Thurrock Council write to Chancellor George Osbourne: 'Don't waste our money'

In the letter signed by council leader John Kent, he calls on Mr Osborne to “personally intervene” and “provide transparent information on whether Her Majesty’s Treasury really do believe that the estimated £6 billion expenditure on the motorway and tunnel is value for money”.

The letter, which was agreed at a recent cabinet meeting, also agreed seeking “further expert opinion” to look into the implications of Highways England’s proposals on “pollution from vehicles and the effects on the health of residents”, and that any economic, social or transport benefits are not out-weighed by the environmental harm.

Councillors also supported plans for a cross-agency forum to look at ways of tackling congestion in the borough in the short- to medium-term as increasing evidence suggested that, although issues at the crossing sparked congestion, it was the local infrastructure and road works that were unable to cope and delayed free flowing traffic returning for hours.

The letter states: “We have appointed experts to look at the published figures on costs and benefits with the knowledge that the full business case to justify this has yet to be published by Highways England.”

Mr Kent said: “We have twice written to the Secretary of State for Transport, asking him first to extend the consultation period and then to stop it all together. We have yet to receive a response.

“Now we’re asking the Chancellor – who no doubt is telling us this week we need to make more savings – not to waste £6 billion of taxpayers’ money.”

The letter also asks whether “future resilience” has been taken into account by the proposals because “access to business in the area is critical” and whether the effect of gridlock on the new proposed road as well as the current crossing – and the resulting increases in air pollution – have been taken into account in the cost-benefit analysis.

The letter in full: