Youngsters have handed over a petition calling on the government to say no to building the Lower Thames Crossing so close to their school.

Pupils at Shorne Church of England Primary School presented the signatures to Gravesham MP Adam Holloway (Con) when he visited.

The preferred route of the link road, Option C, is planned to pass within 200 metres of the school, raising fears about noise and pollution affecting the health and development of the children.

Many residents have sent postcards to the Secretary of State for Transport, graphically depicting children wearing pollution masks.

The Transport Secretary – then Patrick McLoughlin – did not respond to the personal concerns raised, but passed them on to Highways England, which sent a standard reply stating it would carry out a detailed assessment of noise and air quality when the final route is decided.

Mr Holloway is arranging to submit the petition to the new Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, on the floor of the House of Commons.

The schoolchildren’s petition will be accompanied by a 4,000 signature petition calling on the government to reconsider the crossing east of Gravesend.