THE Gazette today launches its fight against proposed toll charge increases at the Dartford Crossing – and against a third River Thames crossing that threatens to plough through Thurrock.

Enough is enough – we know you, the borough’s residents and businesses, have had enough of paying through their teeth to use the crossing, and of the gridlock the tolls regularly cause on our roads.

We are also saying “no” to a proposed third river crossing that would mean a traffic nightmare on our roads.

The Gazette has joined forces with Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price in a two-pronged attack on these issues.

We have launched a petition, which Jackie will present to Parliament later this year, and need YOU to sign up.

The more signatures we get, the greater the petition’s voice.

A Government consultation currently under way on the planned toll increases – to £2 this year and £2.50 next year – is, as we all know, a formality which will be largely ignored.

The proposed increases in charges may reduce traffic on the crossing in the short term, but by 2031 traffic will be back to its current level – meaning the issue of a third crossing is very much on the agenda.

All three plans on the table will cut through Thurrock – one next to the current crossing and two from Gravesend, either to Tilbury and the Dock Approach, or to Chadwell, through Orsett.

This simply cannot be allowed to happen, with the impact on Thurrock immeasurable.

So let’s all stand up and fight – sign our petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/gazette petition/ and follow updates each week in the Gazette.