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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 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 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 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". |
Options available | |
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. |