A consultation that will help decide the location of the new Thames crossing is taking place over the next month.
Plans for a new Lower Thames crossing to reduce congestion and boost growth have been put forward today (21 May) by Roads Minister Stephen Hammond.
The consultation is the first step in deciding on the location of a new lower Thames road crossing. The Department for Transport (DfT) has put forward three options to tackle the current congestion and capacity issues plaguing motorists in the area on a daily basis.
The three possible options are:
Option A: at the site of the existing A282 Dartford-Thurrock crossing;
Option B: connecting the A2 Swanscombe Peninsula with the A1089;
Option C: connecting the M2 with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30.
The variant to Option C would additionally widen the A229 between the M2 and M20.
Roads Minister Stephen Hammond said: “With traffic levels expected to increase by a fifth over the next 30 years, it is vital we take action now on the future of a new Lower Thames crossing to make sure that our road network is able to meet the future economic needs of the country.
"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.
“I encourage anyone who uses the existing crossing or has an interest in the location of the new crossing to let us have their views on these proposals. This will enable us to make the right decision on the location of the new crossing.”
There are several ways to find out more information, either through the Department’s website or by attending one of the public information events that are listed here.
