THE people of Thurrock will today decide who they want to be their next MP with one of the biggest issues facing the borough still unresolved – a new Thames crossing.

A potential new crossing is the one issue all three of the main candidates agree on, as do the majority of residents.

Whoever is our MP come the early hours of tomorrow, following this most tightly fought election campaign, they will be expected to fight any plans for a new crossing in the borough.

Last week, the transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the only two options being look at by the Government were right here in Thurrock. OptionAwould see a new crossing built by the current bridge, and optionCwould mean a crossing landing in Tilbury.

Gazette readers have been clear in saying they don’t want a new crossing anywhere here.

Posting on our Facebook page, Shelley Hughes said: “Rubbish, rubbish and rubbish again! Where do we sign up to protest against this idiotic idea!?”

Angie Parker added: “God forbid they actually listened to the residents.”

Louise Pack said: “Having another crossing in Thurrock is not the solution to the congestion problem and will only cause more traffic to the area.”

Tory candidate Jackie Doyle- Price has been fighting a new crossing since winning the last election in 2010. She wants to see option D, which would be in Canvey, reintroduced by the Government.

Labour’s Polly Billington said a Labour government would put all the options back on the table if they’re in power and that option A would violate air quality standards.

While, Ukip’s Tim Aker said he would be happy to bring he M25 to a standstill if rejections to a new crossing in Thurrock fell on deaf ears in Westminster.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “We need more river crossings so motorists in Thurrock do not have to experience miserable traffic conditions on a regular basis. There needs to be three new crossings in London and a Lower Thames crossing that creates a new outer ring road to complement the M25.”

She added optionCwould just put more pressure on the M25 and A13.

Ms Billington said: “Big infrastructure projects are not be decided by referendums and one MP can’t change things by just by shouting. If a Labour government is elected on May 7, all options are back on the table. I’ll use this opportunity to make sure Thurrock’s voice is heard. Together we can fight against option A and C.”

Mr Aker said: “It would be a red line issue for me in Parliament, any government needing my votes would not get them without rejecting a new Thames crossing in Thurrock.

“If this falls on deaf ears, I would be perfectly happy to bring the M25 to a standstill so Thurrock’s voice is heard.

“A new crossing through Thurrock would be our borough’s death sentence, bringing unwanted congestion and pollution.”

Meanwhile residents have been responding on Twitter, @west_ham_mad1 said: “This will have a terrible impact here. Our roads can’t cope.”