Representation by Mark Sullivan MRTPI
- Date submitted
- 24 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
There is no public transport connection between Kent and Essex that provides a viable and attractive alternative to the use of private cars. Buses using the Dartford crossing and the Gravesend-Tilbury ferry for foot passengers offer transport that is slow and inconvenient. The result is heavy demand on the Dartford Crossing and adjacenbt roads. The Lower Thames Crossing project has not been multi-modal and has not examined a public transport solution as an alternative to the proposed new road which is to more-or-less motorway standards. A rail tunnel under the Thames linking the rail networks of Kent with lines in South Essex as a solution has not been developed, costed and consulted on. There should be a study of rail options and consultation on a rail-based solution, as an alternative to the LTC road scheme and alternatively as a combined solution with a smaller scale road and a rail link. Those with infrormation and knowledge of potential rail options and solutions in the Greater London, Kent and Essex area should be invited to submit proposals for a rail connection across the Lower Thames connecting Kent and Essex and to help in their evaluation. The Examination stage should not proceed until this work is done and information on rail options and alternatives has been published for interested parties to respond to.