This morning the Highways England announced a consultation around its preferred option for a new Lower Thames Crossing.
After careful assessment, Highways England proposes a dual carriageway connecting junction 1 of the M2 to the M25 between junctions 29 and 30. This crosses under the River Thames just east of Gravesend and Tilbury. It will include 3 routes north of the river and 2 routes south of the river.
On the announcement Kelly has said,
“The need for a second crossing on the Lower Thames is crucial to the future of the South East, and in particular for Medway. The Dartford Crossing’s capacity has clearly been exceeded, which causes severe congestion across North Kent, to the annoyance and detriment of Rochester and Strood’s residents. I therefore welcome this further step towards a solution which can bring about much needed economic and transport benefits to the region.
However, while progress in this consultation is welcome, the devil will be in the detail. The fact that the preferred crossing option leads onto an already regularly congested section of the A2 could become a significant problem if not addressed correctly in advance. We cannot be left with a situation where the problems currently suffered along the A2 are pushed into the already pressured towns and villages of Medway. I firmly believe that any solution must contain a real strategy and project that will suit the local areas’ development over the next 20 plus years. We are an important part of the UK and any project must be suitable for the future—not just for now—and not simply solve a problem in the short term. It is consequently important that we get this right from the start.
That is why I would like to encourage as many local residents and businesses as possible to respond to the consultation, thus ensuring the project can be right for Medway’s future.”
Further details of the proposal and the link to the consultation survey itself can be found here: https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/cip/lower-thames-crossing-consultation