UP to £5 billion will be spent on a new tolled bridge or tunnel in the Lower Thames area at one of three locations outlined by the Government today.
Roads minister Stephen Hammond published an analysis of three options to boost transport links to the east of London and ease traffic snarl-ups at the Dartford Crossing.
They are for a four-lane bridge or a bored tunnel to open in 2025:
At the site of the existing A282 Dartford-Thurrock river crossing — Option A.
Connecting the A2 with the A1089 — Option B.
Connecting the M2 with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30 Option C — or a variant of this option which would additionally widen the A229 between the M2 and M20.
Mr 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.”
But he warned of “tough decisions” over which option to choose. The cheapest would be a £1.25 billion bridge at the existing crossing, with the most expensive solution the “option C variant”.
Option C, or its variant, would provide the greatest economic benefits to the country by boosting transport links but it would also lead to noise pollution for more poor people while benefiting more affluent people through better transport links than the other schemes.
The proposals for option C would also deliver the biggest cut in greenhouse gas but cause the greatest other environmental damage.
