KENT NEWS: Major plans to build a new Thames crossing between Kent and Essex have been revealed as part of a blueprint setting out the county’s future for the next 30 years.
Kent County Council Tory leader Cllr Paul Carter made the announcement during a whistle-stop tour of the regeneration hotspots for the launch of the authority’s 21st Century Kent project.
The crossing, which would cost around £1 billion, could potentially be sited between the east of Gravesend and either Tilbury or Canvey Island in Essex, linking with the M11.
A feasibility study is currently underway, with the results expected next month.
Cllr Carter said an extra tunnel or bridge would significantly ease pressure off the Dartford Crossing and potentially generate £30 million a year in tolls.
“There is an essential need for a third Thames crossing,” he said.
“The Dartford Crossing is already working at over-capacity.
“If another one is built it will relieve pressure from the M25, M1 and M40 – people could get to Dover from the Midlands without having to go near the M25.
“People have the view that Kent’s road system is always gridlocked and this crossing would help change that.”
Cllr Carter argued that it could be paid for by revenue from the toll system plus charges imposed on freight drivers coming through Dover and Folkestone.
But the plans have been slammed by the Tory leader of Gravesham Borough Council Cllr Mike Snelling, who claimed a lower Thames crossing from Gravesend would “desecrate precious parts of the borough” including villages and countryside.
Cllr Carter was speaking during the unveiling of the blueprint for 21st Century Kent, with one of the world’s leading architects Sir Terry Farrell – the man behind London’s M16 building – at its forefront.
Sir Terry was commissioned by KCC to put together an ambitious masterplan for the county, focusing on the high-speed rail link.
Other infrastructure proposals are to:
∑ Extend the high-speed rail link from Ashford to Thanet
∑ Link Gatwick Airport to the high-speed rail network
∑ Create a Manston Airport and Thanet rail interchange with the high-speed network
∑ Improve the A21 transport corridor to enhance access to west Kent
∑ Extend crossrail to Ebbsfleet
New business opportunities are expected for Kings Hill, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge through improvements to infrastructure, including the Maidstone Parkway Station and improved links to the M25 and Hastings.
Ebbsfleet has also been outlined as a future business and innovation ‘super-hub’ with the development of 10,000 new homes and nine million square foot of office space.
Medway has been ring fenced as a future “European centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing” with its five towns, Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham, becoming a new city.
And by 2030, Ashford could potentially be Kent’s “21st Century garden city” attracting communities from all over the UK and Europe through its metro service and business opportunities.
East Kent and the coastal towns were also highlighted, with culture being one of the main driving forces behind their success.
Cllr Carter said: “With people choosing to holiday in the UK and the high-speed rail, the coastal towns are going to see a real boost in economy.”
He went on to explain how he had been inspired by Victorian forward thinking.
“They had an extreme vision which they carried out to make Britain the place it is today, for example, the planning of the Underground before they built what we know as central London.
“We need to do exactly the same. Visionary thinking is the way forward.”
Sir Terry said his vision for Kent was focused on its strong identity.
“Billions of pounds have been invested in the county’s infrastructure including over £5bn on the UK’s only high-speed rail line,” he said.
“Our work builds on Kent’s powerful identity, painting a portrait of how Kent can capitalise on this investment over the next 20 to 30 years.”
He added: “Lots of people say they don’t see any changes or don’t think things are going to happen, but if you think this then you won’t get the best out of the changes.
“We’ve got to think long term, plan for the future, take many small steps, but hold onto the vision.”
In his document Sir Terry also highlighted the need to make better use of existing airport runways rather than building new ones.
Cllr Carter supported this and stressed there was no need for the Thames estuary airport being demanded by London mayor Boris Johnson – and that Kent International at Manston should be better used.
Matt Clarke, chief executive of the airport, said: “We agree that achieving the best utilisation of existing airports is by far the best and most achievable option to solve the future runway capacity shortage in the South East.”
Funding for the plans, if they go ahead, would come from a mixture of sources depending on each individual project.
District and borough councils, Medway Council, local businesses and communities will now be involved in detailed work on the blueprint in an effort to turn the ambitious ideas into reality.
POSTED: 31/01/2010 09:00:00
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