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Lower Thames Crossing route between Kent and Essex revealed Lower Thames Crossing route between Kent and Essex revealed
(35 minutes later)
The route for a new tunnel under the Thames Estuary has been announced as the most expensive option. The route of a road leading to a new tunnel under the Thames Estuary has been revealed as the most expensive option, going through greenbelt land.
The "C" option will see a new road link the M25, near North Ockendon, Essex, with the A2 near Shorne, Kent. The chosen option "C" will see a new road link the M25, near North Ockendon, Essex, with the A2 near Shorne, Kent.
It will cross the A13 at Orsett, and will connect land east of Tilbury to land east of Gravesend.It will cross the A13 at Orsett, and will connect land east of Tilbury to land east of Gravesend.
A new link road will then take traffic to the A2 near Shorne, close to where the route becomes the M2. A new road will then take traffic to the A2, near Thong, via the Western Southern Link.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the new Lower Thames Crossing would create more than 6,000 jobs and boost the economy by more than £8bn.Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the new Lower Thames Crossing would create more than 6,000 jobs and boost the economy by more than £8bn.
He added it would also "reduce the burden on the busy Dartford Crossing".He added it would also "reduce the burden on the busy Dartford Crossing".
The Lower Thames Crossing is expected to carry 4.5 million lorries in its first year. Options available
There was also a option for another crossing at the current Dartford Tunnel site and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. There were originally three main idea for a new crossing location:
A public consultation over the crossing started in January last year, which recommended "C" as the favoured route.
However, opponents raised objections to the fact it would cut through greenbelt land and its proximity to homes and schools.
Mike Golsby, of anti-option C campaign group, A Bridge Too Far, said it would have a "detrimental affect" on the local area around Shorne and would not solve the traffic problems at Dartford.
Adam Holloway, Conservative MP for Gravesham, also thought Highways England had backed the wrong route.
However, according to the Department for Transport, the chosen option was picked by nearly 47,000 people who took part in a consultation.However, according to the Department for Transport, the chosen option was picked by nearly 47,000 people who took part in a consultation.
A spokesman for the DfT said the C route had been "optimised" after the consultation, and moved slightly east to avoid people's homes.
The Lower Thames Crossing is expected to carry 4.5 million lorries in its first year.
Mr Grayling also promised £10m to help tackle traffic jams around the existing crossing.Mr Grayling also promised £10m to help tackle traffic jams around the existing crossing.