REFORM UK MP James McMurdock has said he does not think plans for the new lower Thames Crossing “are good enough” reports the BBC.
A new 14 mile (22.5km) motorway style road would see a tunnel constructed under the Thames between Tilbury and Gravesend, linking the M25 with A2 and M2.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cje39eg83yko
The new MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock told the BBC: “I’m not a nimby but we cannot waste £10bn to be in the same place in five years time.”
National Highways said his claim was “not accurate” and that the new system would “cut traffic on the Dartford Crossing by around 20%”.
The new road would run through the countryside in Mr McMurdock’s constituency.
Thurrock Council has been opposed to the crossing proposal, including both local Labour and Conservative party groups.
National Highways has said it would “almost double road capacity” across the Thames to the east of London by creating three new lanes in each direction.
James McMurdock, who joined the Reform UK party in the Spring, became a candidate just one-month before the general election. He won after a recount with a majority of 98 votes.
Mr McMurdock raised the lower Thames Crossing during his conference speech, describing it as a “ten billion pound mega project”.
He told the BBC: “There are issues with traffic flows at the existing QE2 bridge and the two tunnels are already at 20% over capacity.
“Something needs to be done, but what we are talking about right now does a lot of damage to what’s there and doesn’t solve the issues.”
If they did away with escorting tankers, which entails halting the traffic going north, several times each day then the hold ups would disappear!
McMurdock Makes the same point myself and many have been saying for many, many, years. It appears the Labour government have come to the conclusion that it’s too costly for the tax payer so are trying to attract private investment. The attraction for private investors is the returns from tolls.