Jackie Doyle-Price MP Urges Department for Transport to think again on options for Lower Thames crossing

Media Release

 

Date :    17^th December 2013

From:    Jackie Doyle-Price Member of Parliament for Thurrock

 

Jackie Doyle-Price MP Urges Department for Transport to think again on options for Lower Thames crossing

 

Commenting on the announcement that Option B has been ruled out as a location for a new Lower Thames crossing Jackie Doyle-Price said, “I am pleased that the Government have ruled out Option B. However I believe the fact that they have not chosen between Option A and C highlights the real problems with both options, and I think the Government need to look again at options further downstream.

 

There is no point building another crossing which will simply put more traffic on the M25.  What we need is a crossing which will link up with the M11 and establish a new orbital link road.  The options at Canvey and Southend would do exactly that and bear examination.

 

We do need more river crossings and business needs clarity as to where a new crossing will be so that they can be sure in their investment decisions.  The fact is that there has not been enough forward thinking about our future road infrastructure needs.  In Kent a lot of work has been done in support of what would work for them.  In Essex there has been no such thinking. These proposal options have been around since 2009 and yet Thurrock Council has done nothing to make the case for what is in the best interests of Thurrock. As a logistics hub with growing opportunities we need road infrastructure that works if we are to maximise jobs and growth in the area. Thurrock has failed to maintain its stretch of the A13, failed to look forward to what the future infrastructure needs should be and failed to make the alliances to make the arguments.  I look forward to working with colleagues across South Essex to make the case for a better option downstream.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

-           In May 2013 the Government opened consultation on 3 different options (A, B and C) for a new Lower Thames Crossing, this followed from a previous Government report in January 2009 which contained 5 options (A, B, C, D and E)

-           Option D – M2 Link to Canvey Island

-           Option E – Isle of Grain link to east of Southend

-           Attached link to the DFT Press Release on Ruling Out Option B - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-rules-out-option-for-lower-thames-crossing

 

Jackie can be contacted on 01268 200430 or 0207 219 7171, or mark.coxshall@parliament.uk

 

 

Mark Coxshall

 

Office of Jackie Doyle Price and Stephen Metcalfe

Members of Parliament for Thurrock and South Basildon & East Thurrock

 

Office:                  01268 200430

Westminster:    0207 219 7171

Mobile:                07850 005630