Representation by Julie Chaney
- Date submitted
- 22 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
As a resident of Essex and witness to what appears to be a huge amount of unbridled development (buildings and infrastructure) on open spaces right across our county, the Lower Thames Crossing proposal is a further attack on our dwindling green spaces. This would be a massive development, causing irreparable scarring and destruction of our natural landscape. It contravenes any commitments to reduce climate change by decreasing both traffic and pollution, and preserving nature. It does the exact opposite. I have serious concerns about the impact on wildlife and habitats in Essex, including: - Biodiversity loss, such as water voles, reptiles and rare insects. - Damage to and fragmentation of habitats, including ancient woodland and local wildlife sites. - Increased noise and lighting disturb communication, breeding, feeding and movement in species such as bats, birds and insects. - Reduced remoteness and wildness of the landscape and its tranquillity. - Generating more traffic and increasing CO2 emissions, which directly conflicts with the government's target to achieve net zero by 2050. - Associated development and future developments will put more pressure on wildlife and wild spaces. The Thames estuary, like all habitats of its kind, is monumentally important for wildlife and should be protected AT ALL COSTS. This development offers nothing but total decimation of the entire area (both sides of the estuary) and death or flight for its natural inhabitants. The Dartford Crossing provides an established north-south route for traffic - we don't need another.