New Lower Thames crossing will generate more traffic and harm the environment
12 April 2017
Campaign for Better Transport responds to Highways England and the Department for Transport’s (DfT) announcement today of their preferred route for a new Lower Thames Crossing.
The new multi-billion pound road link will connect Essex and Kent, east of Tilbury and Gravesend, via a new crossing under the Thames.
Bridget Fox, Sustainable Transport Campaigner, Campaign for Better Transport, said:
“Building a major new road through protected countryside is not the right way to address the long standing problems of traffic, much of it HGVs, through Kent.
“Instead of squandering billions on yet another expensive new road that will inevitably fill up with traffic, leading to more congestion, a better solution would be to expand port capacity north of the Thames, improve freight and passenger rail links to Kent and look at measures like distance-based HGV charging to better manage traffic.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Richard Watkins on 020 7566 6494 / 07984 773 468 or richard.watkins@bettertransport.org.uk
Notes to Editors
- Read about Highways England and the DfT’s proposals here – Preferred route for a new Lower Thames Crossing
- Read about Campaign for Better Transport’s campaigning around the other new Thames river crossing proposals here – London roads and river crossings
- Campaign for Better Transport is the UK’s leading authority on sustainable transport. We champion transport solutions that improve people’s lives and reduce environmental damage. Our campaigns push innovative, practical policies at local and national levels. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
