On Thursday 24 March, the public consultation survey on a new Lower Thames Crossing closed.
As many will be aware, I stand against the proposed Option C in its current form on the principle of there being no defined infrastructure strategy to renovate our already congested and struggling road systems around Medway’s towns and villages, which will only be exacerbated under proposed housing plans.
Whatever option is taken forwards, there has to be evident improvements for our local area rather than bring further troubles. That is why these initial proposal needs more focus on the how these problems and concerns can be tackled. In its absence, It is my opinion that Option C does not provide the appropriate answers for the current Dartford Crossing issues.
Given that the preferred crossing at Option C is fundamentally flawed and will provide more harm than benefit to our local region, I am hopeful that as many residents as possible managed to submit a response outlining this argument. Frustratingly, it is now a long wait before the Government responds, but I am hopeful that with a strong local representation against the proposal the final decision will reflect what is best for one of our country’s fast expanding areas.
In any case, I would like to share with constituents my own consultation response. As well as the survey response, I also put together a fuller, more structured document which I have submitted to both Highways England and the Minister responsible, Andrew Jones MP, in support of my survey response. This can be found in the attachment below.
Despite the long wait for the Government’s response to the consultation, I will remain in close contact with ministerial colleagues on this matter in the meantime and will relay any notable updates to constituents.