December 26th 2024.
As we look to the future, there are some pressing concerns that need to be addressed. One of these is the issue of traffic congestion at the Dartford Crossing, which has been deemed the UK's "largest bottleneck on traffic." Even for those who don't drive, the name Dartford Crossing is likely familiar - it's the massive bridge that spans the River Thames, connecting the M25 to Essex and Kent.
According to National Highways, an average of 150,000 vehicles traverse the tunnel and crossing every day - a staggering 20,000 more vehicles than it was originally designed to handle. Understandably, this has led to a great deal of frustration and inconvenience for both drivers and local residents. In response, National Highways and other local advocates are calling for the construction of a second crossing further east, known as the Lower Thames Crossing, in order to alleviate some of the congestion in the area.
The Lower Thames Crossing project has been in the works since 2009, but its progress has been plagued by delays. Most recently, the government's planning decision was pushed back until May 2025. However, sustainable transport campaigners have voiced concerns over the project's impact on the environment and its potential costs, leading to calls for it to be scrapped altogether.
National Highways has stated that the Lower Thames Crossing would help to divert traffic away from Dartford, which is currently the only river crossing to the east of London. In contrast, there are 16 crossings between the Blackwall Tunnel and west London. Jim Dickson, Labour MP for Dartford, has joined in the call for the Lower Thames Crossing, describing the situation at Dartford as "misery" for both residents and those reliant on goods being transported to and from ports in the Southeast.
It's not uncommon for drivers to experience significant delays at Dartford Crossing, especially when incidents occur on the A282 or M25. In October, a lorry fire and oil spillage caused major delays for those trying to cross the bridge, leading to gridlock on nearby roads. This is not surprising, considering that Dartford Crossing sees over 50 million vehicles pass through every year, with 40% of them being goods vehicles.
In recent news, there have also been reports of drivers being mistakenly charged for using Dartford Crossing, even when they had never actually made the crossing. This has raised concerns over the efficiency and accuracy of the current system in place. Despite these issues, there are still many who see the need for a second crossing as crucial. Dennis Mehmed, a local business owner, drives through Dartford regularly and believes that the new crossing is "sorely needed" and would greatly improve his morning commute.
The Lower Thames Crossing has been a topic of discussion for over a decade now, with the planning application being dubbed Britain's longest at over 359,000 pages. The decision on the application has been pushed back several times, with the latest deadline set for May 2025. This has led to frustration and impatience from those who see the urgent need for a solution to the traffic congestion at Dartford. As we wait for a decision, the debate over the Lower Thames Crossing continues, with some advocating for its construction and others calling for it to be scrapped. Only time will tell what the future holds for this potentially game-changing project.
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