Hundreds of people from Shorne, Higham, Chalk, Riverview Park, and the surrounding areas are expected to join a huge protest against plans for the new Lower Thames Crossing.

On Saturday, people will assemble on Community Square, outside Gravesend Civic Centre, from noon.

It has been organised by Abridge2far, a campaign opposing a crossing east of Gravesend.

Among those attending will be Gravesham council leader John Cubitt and fellow borough councillors Les Hills, who represents Chalk, Harold Craske, who represents Higham, and Robin Theobald, who represents Shorne, where he is also chairman of the parish council.

Abridge2far has also written to all 83 Kent county councillors in advance of the cabinet meeting in early March when KCC will announce its policy, urging them to reject the proposals.

Previously KCC has been vocal in support of option C, which could cost almost £6 billion and would require a new road east of Gravesend meeting up with the A226, across from junction 1 of the M2 and north west around Shorne. That support caused Cllr Bryan Sweetland to step down from his KCC cabinet role.

Despite a Highways England report recommending option C as the only viable choice, the decision is still up to the government, following an eight-week public consultation to end on March 24.

Cllr Cubitt and Gravesham MP Adam Holloway are adamant option A – another crossing at Dartford – is the better option.

Option B, connecting the A2 with the A1089 in Essex through the Swanscombe Peninsula, was written off in 2013 because of the impact on development plans and limited transport benefits.

The letter from Abridge2far points out that a new crossing east of Gravesend will not address the problems at Dartford, and urges councillors to visit the site of the proposed crossing to see for themselves and to ask themselves this question – “would you support a similar scheme if it would devastate a village in your own constituency?”

KCC leader Paul Carter this week replied to a letter sent to him urging him to “support the thousands of Kent residents whose lives will be devastated by this monstrous plan, and who are calling for it to be scrapped”.

In it he said: “I am sympathetic to you and all residents who are affected by the proposal; however, as a county council we must weigh up the needs of the county as a whole.

“Therefore due to the transport and economic benefits that a new Lower Thames Crossing will provide, I am supportive of a new crossing to the east of Gravesend.

“We will, however, continue work with government and Highways England to ensure that the best route option is selected and that property owners are appropriately compensated.”

Local historian Christoph Bull will lead a guided walk to show the proposed route on Sunday, March 6, from 2.30pm, meeting at the junction of Castle Lane and Lower Higham Road, Chalk. For information, call 07702 287147.