In yesterday’s
debate on the lower Thames crossing led by Thurrock MP, Jackie Doyle-Price, Stephen
Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, made a strong stand
against Option C, stressing the damaging impact it would have on the local
environment and community.
After
congratulating Ms Doyle-Price on securing such an important debate, Mr Metcalfe
emphasised the incredible environmental effect of Option C which would divide
an established rural community and wreck one of the most significant remaining
rural parts of South Essex. He also stated that Option C would not address or help
to deliver the full economic potential of South Essex.
Both MPs called
upon the Government to scrap the remaining Options and reconsider options D and
E which did not form part of the consultation. Whilst the Minister acknowledged
that a number of consultation respondents had suggested a similar approach,
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Robert Goodwill,
stated that the Government will not reconsider previously rejected options.
Mr Goodwill continued to say that the Government are currently
considering what further improvements may be needed on the M25, A282, and A13
to ensure that congestion is not pushed to other parts of the M25 when the
bottleneck at the crossing is addressed.
Stephen Metcalfe MP commented: “I am disappointed by the Ministers
response and maintain my staunch opposition to Option C and its variant. The
consequences of this proposal to my constituents are extremely serious and it
would not be the right decision for South Basildon and East Thurrock, for South
Essex, or for the country as a whole.”
“I am therefore
writing to the Minister to make a more comprehensive case for widening of the
scope of the proposals to re-include options D and E. I believe the Government
needs to look at potential crossings taking into account the wider
opportunities for growth in the Thames corridor, not just the impact it
would have on the current crossing. If that were to happen I am sure the
outcome would be different.”
“Jackie Doyle-Price MP and I will continue to make our views known
to Government and we will not falter in ensuring that our concerns and the
concerns of our constituents are heard.”
