THE Government could look at whether a new River Thames crossing should land on Canvey Island...an option originally discarded five years ago.

Speaking ahead of a meeting on the proposed options for a new Lower Thames Crossing route this Thursday, Thurrock Council leader John Kent said he understood that Option D could be "back in the mix if the numbers are looked at properly".

The two options in the pipeline currently are Option A - which would see a new crossing built next to the current one - and Option C - which would pass between Tilbury Fort and Coalhouse Fort.

When the issue of a new crossing was explored five-years-ago, there had been five options up for consideration - including Option D, which would see a new crossing land in Canvey Island, linking the A130 to the M2 in Kent; and Option E, which would land closer to Southend.

But the Government has previously refused to reopen the case for Options D and E.

The Government announced soon after closing a consultation on the options last year, that it would no longer be pursuing Option B, which would have landed a new crossing near to Grays Beach Park.

A decision on where a new crossing lands has been put back until October so that further assessment of the options can be undertaken, including a consideration of the impact free-flow tolling will have on the current crossing.

Mr Kent said: "I urge everyone interested about how the proposed crossings - Option A near the present bridge and tunnels, and Option C, through the Green Belt, Orsett and the fens towards the M25 just north of Ockendon - to come along.

"The increasing pressure for new crossings in the east of London has made a tremendous and positive difference to our argument that no new crossing is needed in Thurrock.

"In addition I understand that the so-called Option D thrown out five years ago should now be back in the mix if the numbers are looked at properly."

The move comes after strong opposition from Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price and Thurrock Council to proposals for a new crossing in the borough.

Since the consultation began in May 2013, Ms Doyle-Price has lobbied the Government to look again at Options D and E.

In recent months, that view has been backed by the council. But in April, Canvey Island councillor David Blackwell said any crossing landing on the island would be a "disaster".

Mr Kent said: "As time has gone on the arguments in our favour keep getting stronger.

"We have constantly said no new crossing is needed in Thurrock.

"The government has listened as far as waiting to consider the effect of free-flow tolls, now we want them to look at how proposed new east London crossings, and especially the Rainham to Belvedere crossing, will change the numbers and whether Option D should be reconsidered too.

"These are the arguments we will be putting to the Parliamentary Select Committee in the next few weeks, and I have no doubt our arguments are right, but we need to be able to show Thurrock people are in agreement."

A meeting will be held at the Culver Centre, Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon on Thursday (11 September) at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. It will include information about planned crossings in London, air quality predictions in Thurrock, and issues around proposed crossings to the east of Thurrock.