I THINK I should advise Rob Groves (Gazette Opinion, March 23) that I am not the Member of Parliament for Stanford-le-Hope. I represent the western part of the borough. The part of the borough that contains the Dartford crossing. The part that is blighted by poor air quality.

That air quality is not going to be improved unless there is a new river crossing. In respect of option C, I have been opposed to that route since 2009. The Government is about to choose between routes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

What we used to refer to as C is now route 3 and I remain as opposed to that as I have ever been. For the record, I oppose any route that will lead to a new junction with the M25 in Thurrock.

Contrary to his claims, I have asked my constituents for their views. More than 900 responded to my last poll - 86 per cent agree that a new crossing is necessary. Most of them would prefer it was not sited in Thurrock, as we all would, but of the four op - tions under consideration, 60 per cent expressed a preference for route 4. For that reason, I too have expressed a preference for route 4.

It isn’t me that isn’t listening. Far from it. I have sought the views of my constituents. I have given those views to ministers. I have done my job as a Member of Parliament. If the Government does not choose route 4, I will continue to fight for it. But let me be quite clear.

The welfare of my constituents in the west of the borough demands a new crossing to the east and we will all be failing them if we do not engage constructively in this process.