So how would you bridge
THREE options for a new Thames crossing were unveiled this week for you to have your say.
You have until July to let the government know where the crossing should go.
Transport minister Stephen Hammond visited the Dartford Crossing on Tuesday to announce three proposed routes to help ease traffic at the tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II Bridge – something that has been a point of discussion for Kent and Essex County Councils for years.
Explaining the need for the crossing, which could cost £5 billion, Mr Hammond predicted that traffic over the next 20 years is likely to increase by 25%.
He said: “The government doesn’t have a preferred route and I hope people will get involved with this consultation.
“Each of these has benefits and disbenefits (sic) – what we’re saying is that by doing it this way we’ll be able to do it more quickly. We will examine the evidence and in the autumn we will hopefully announce what route it is and then there will be some detailed modelling.”
He added: “There are some tough decisions to be made, but this is the first step in making sure that the residents, businesses and motorists who rely on the crossing receive the service they expect and deserve in the years to come.”
The first plan is for a new crossing at the site of the existing tunnel and bridge.
The second, the shortest, would connect the Swanscombe peninsular and the A1089 in Essex. This one has raised fears that it would scupper plans for a £2 billion Paramount theme park that could create 28,000 jobs.
The final idea would join the M2 with the A13. A variant of this proposal also suggests widening the A229 between the M2 and M20.