A £1BILLION river crossing linking Essex and Kent could be heading for Tilbury, much to the dismay of councillors and MPs.

Labour MP Andrew Mackinlay and Tory councillor Neil Rockcliffe spoke out after Essex and Kent county councils said they were awaiting the results of a study into the feasibility of building a second bridge or a tunnel.

It would connect an area east of Tilbury or Canvey Island to Gravesend in Kent, and county council chiefs said it was likely a private company would fund it and recoup the money through tolls.

Mr Rockcliffe, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “The council is still reviewing the possible options, and we have been campaigning to have the tolls scrapped for a long time.

“It showed when the electricity was out the that the traffic flowed perfectly, it shows that there is an argument to scrap the tolls.

“My view is that we should scrap the tolls and if there are still queues maybe there is an argument for a second crossing. Why not just put a second crossing where it is at the moment? Tilbury is not the place, it will destroy more greenbelt across Tilbury and Orsett if it goes ahead.”

Mr Mackinlay, MP for Thurrock, said: “There is a need for another river crossing in the national interest, but another bridge or tunnel in Thurrock would be an environmental disaster.

“The M25 is full and another crossing in Thurrock will not solve congestion problems, just add to them and increase pollution.

“A new crossing must be to the east of Thurrock with infrastructure taking traffic away from the M25. Road links are needed to take passing traffic away from the M25 in Thurrock and include environmental benefits such as flood protection and possibly energy generation”.

Chairman of the Tilbury Forum, Trevor Martin, said: “It would be a good idea, but I think it would be best going to Canvey because it is a bit more accessible.

“Having a second crossing would ease the traffic at the Dartford toll, sometimes it can take two hours to get over the bridge.”