DDC supports calls for third Thames crossing

Dover District Council has called for a third Thames crossing to be built in a formal response to the Department for Transport's consultation on a Lower Thames Crossing. The council supports 'Option C variant' connecting the M2 with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30, and additionally widening the A229 between the M2 and the M20. Dover District Council has asked the Department to also consider the possible improvement of the A249 rather than the A229.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Portfolio Holder for Access & Property Management, said: "We back the development of a third Thames crossing as part of a wider chain of improvements to the M2/A2 and the development of the Trans-European Network. Congestion at the existing Thames crossing is costing businesses money and acting as a barrier to investment in East Kent."

Improvements to the M2/A2 have long been an ambition for local authorities, communities and businesses in East Kent. This would include improvements to Brenley Corner to improve traffic flow and enhance connections to the government-designated Enterprise Zone at Discovery Park, Sandwich. Creating a dual carriageway on the A2 between Lydden and Dover would also provide greater resilience for international traffic and support future expansion at the ports of Dover and Calais.

A third Thames crossing along with improvements to the M2/A2 would bring significant benefits for the strategic road network in Kent as a whole whilst at the same time reducing the environmental impact of port traffic traveling through Dover.