Essex Campaign Group: Lower Thames Crossing is "smart motorway by stealth"
They want plans paused
Last updated 17th Jan 2022
Following on from the government's suspension of the rollout of smart motorways due to safety concerns, a local group have called for a halt in plans that would see the construction of a road joining Essex and Kent.
The Thames Crossing Action Group opposes the Lower Thames Crossing which would be situated near the Dartford Crossing.
Laura Blake is Chair of the Group. She says the suspension should also apply to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing as it's a smart motorway "by stealth":
"They're calling it an all purpose trunk road, but they're actually using smart technology and have told us that they're designing it smart motorways standards.
"I think everyone realises just how dangerous these smart motorways are. You've only got to look at how many serious accidents and deaths there have sadly been because of these roads."
She also expressed further concerns over the plans: "The road as far as we're concerned is not fit for purpose. It wouldn't solve the problems that we all suffer with at the Dartford crossing, and it's not actually got adequate connections - they're not even considering how traffic would migrate between the two crossings when there are incidents, which obviously there still would be.
"On top of that we have serious concerns over the environmental impact, as well as impacts to local communities and health... agricultural land, the list goes on and on."
Speaking for National Highways, in response, Mark Bottomley, Development Director for Lower Thames Crossing said: “Safety is our highest priority. The new crossing will be an all-purpose trunk road, similar to the A13 and other A-roads in Essex that are used by tens of thousands of people every day.
"It is being designed to the highest standards recommended today, but we will continue to adapt our plans to incorporate advances in safety design and technology that will come forward in the years ahead.
"While the crossing is designated as an A road we will of course be reviewing the Government’s announcement and considering any changes we may need to make.”