New challenge over crossing plans (From Thurrock Gazette)

New challenge over crossing plans

7:30am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News

THURROCK’S Conservative MP has challenged the Government over its plans for Junction 30 of the M25 and the Dartford Crossing.

Speaking during a debate on transport infrastructure in Essex, Jackie Doyle-Price said she hoped the debate would “kick-start a more engaged interest from Government” about what needs to be done at the crossing.

She said: “Top of the list has to be improvement of junction 30 and 31 of the M25, which is a major source of gridlock.

“By removing the toll barriers, we will increase capacity at Dartford by 20 per cent.

“We are making a significant investment by putting in the free-flow tolling, but motorists are finding the additional toll punitive. I need to ask if those tolls need to be kept at all.”

Ms Doyle-Price emphasised plans for a new crossing must not include more roads through Thurrock.