Thurrock: Council Against New Crossing

The leader of Thurrock Council says building a new crossing over the Thames there will create more congestion and environmental damage on a scale not seen in the area before.

The Government wants to build a new bridge over the river and a consultation on the issue is due to start in May. 

Councillor John Kent says he believes the Government will set out three options: "Option A is the option of building a new bridge alongside the existing Queen Elizabeth Bridge that goes from Purfleet to Darford. 

"The second, Option B, crosses very close to Tilbury, it comes up past Grays Beach Park and up to the M25 that way. 

"The third, Option C, comes up to the East of Tilbury, skirts by Chadwell and up through Orsett until it meets the M25. "The first option is dreadful as far as both pollution and congestion are concerned. Conceivably you would have eight lanes of traffic going back onto a four lane motorway, creating a pinch point we are trying to avoid. 

"The other two options would cause real environmental damage, especially Option C that would carve it's way through lots and lots of Greenbelt." 

Councillor Kent added: "Our preferred option is supporting Option D - None of the above. 

"We are saying the government should speed up the introduction of free-flow tolls - or better still get rid of the tolls altogether - and instead of spending billions on a new bridge or tunnel and new major motorways or trunk roads through our towns and green spaces, millions should be spend on sorting out the M25-A13 intersection, Junction 30/31. 

"Do that and a new crossing isn't needed. It's common sense really."