Representation by Dr James Stevens
- Date submitted
- 16 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
As a local resident, scientist, and end user of the impacted environment and surrounds I echo the objections raised by the Essex Wildlife Trust: Biodiversity loss, such as water voles, reptiles and rare insects. Damage to and fragmentation of habitats, including ancient woodland and local wildlife sites. 1. Increased noise and lighting disturb communication, breeding, feeding and movement in species such as bats, birds and insects. 2. Reduce the remoteness and wildness of the landscape and its tranquillity. 3. Generating more traffic and increasing CO2 emissions, which directly conflicts with the government's target to achieve net zero by 2050. 4. Associated development and future developments will put more pressure on wildlife and wild spaces. The crossing will not, in real terms, achieve any reduction in the environmental impact of travel but will clearly increase though construction, increased vehicle usage, and loss of green habitat. There is no doubt that the road building and subsequent car use is not “it” but rather the developments that will follow, essentially paving over farmland and communities that have existed for a millennia. The latter point is not simple nimbyism or a desire to prevent change at all costs. It is because the lost of the rural belt between London and south east Essex will make all sides poorer, both visitors from London boroughs and the Essex residents. Given that vehicle journeys should be reducing when car ownership dwindles from 2030, it seems short sighted to spend ever more vast amounts of public money on this project. This is not a precursor to “good growth” and I would encourage the department to do better.