The Assistant Director LTC began by highlighting that HE had responded with a written response to question 8, which had been directly copied and pasted onto the Priorities List. The Chair added that the Priorities List also contained references to the mitigation schedule and invited the Committee to make any additional comments. Councillor Spillman commented that there was currently research being undertaken into the effect living near busy roads had on conditions such as dementia, and sought assurances that the HIA would contain all the latest research. The Assistant Director LTC stated that the Public Health team and Directors were meeting regularly and would raise this point at the next discussion.

The Vice-Chair then referenced point 5 of the Priorities List on page 137 and asked how the scheme would compare to a crossing further East, such as from Canvey Island, as HE had not yet responded. The Assistant Director LTC said she would pick this up before the next Task Force meeting. She added that HE have reported alternatives in their Environmental Assessment.

Councillor Allen then discussed the northern portal and if the spoil could be contaminated from the old Victorian landfill. He sought assurance that this would be disposed in line with current health and safety regulations. The Assistant Director LTC responded that HE had been on site digging bore holes to identify substances in the ground, although the route would not be coming in to contact with the whole landfill as the gradient had a steep 3% incline. She confirmed that HE mitigation included dealing with contaminated materials and the DCO would take this into account. She added that it was the Council’s responsibility to enforce this and monitor for any breaches. The TCAG Representative asked if the bore holes would release any toxins into the air. The Assistant Director LTC confirmed this was covered in the Environmental Management Plan, but every eventuality could not be insured against. She stated that if HE breached planning control it was an automatic criminal offence, that incurred a £50,000 fine at magistrates court, and an unlimited fine at crown court.

Councillor Spillman drew the Committees attention to Point 7e on page 145 of the agenda and asked whether the HIA would be tailored to the Thurrock environment, as the levels of COPD was already much higher in Thurrock than in other areas. The Assistant Director LTC answered that HE had requested localised data for the HIA. The Vice-Chair then queried point 4b regarding the Tilbury Link Road, and the reason for the removal of this from the scheme. The Assistant Director LTC stated the Tilbury Link Road did not meet the Client Scheme Investment, and HE felt it would increase the level of ‘rat-running’. She added that only 9% would use the LTC and 4.5% of these would be going south-bound. The Resident Representative underlined point 7h regarding the heritage assets, and commented on the possibility that the ‘Two Forts Walk’ over the northern portal could become a formulated walk. Councillor Allen asked for clarification that hazardous vehicles would be allowed through the LTC without convoys. The Assistant Director LTC confirmed this, and felt this could be an advantage for efficiency. Councillor Kelly then asked if the traffic modelling would include the link road. The Transportation Development Manager replied that although the Council could undertake limited traffic modelling, it did not have the capacity to do so to a full extent, but that HE had not modelled traffic when an incident occurred. The Assistant Director LTC confirmed that the Council could ask for situations to be modelled but the software package was too large to run. She confirmed that a report on traffic modelling would be coming to the Task Force in January.