DARTFORD’S MP Gareth Johnson has blasted proposals to build a second Thames river crossing at Dartford.

The MP says the suggestion is “impractical and premature” and the government should firstly wait to see if the introduction of auto-tolls at the current Dartford Crossing in 2014 reduces congestion.

He also said a proposed river crossing at the Swanscombe peninsula – the second of the three proposals published this morning – could ruin plans for the Disney-style Paramount Park.

Mr Johnson said: “Dartford is fed up of the impact it currently endures from the Dartford Crossing so another crossing in the Dartford area would be unwelcome.

“It would be premature to give the go-ahead to another Thames crossing right now.

“In autumn 2014 the automated booths at the Dartford Crossing come in to operation, and it would be far more beneficial to monitor the effects of this first before commissioning yet another intrusive and expensive Thames crossing in North West Kent.”

He added: “The option of a crossing at Swanscombe is particularly unwelcome at the moment given that we are looking to locate a theme park there which would generate thousands of jobs for the area.”

A consultation into a new Lower Thames road crossing was launched at the Dartford Crossing this morning by roads minister Stephen Hammond.

The government put forward three options to tackle the current daily congestion between Kent and Essex, including a second crossing in the same location as the Dartford Crossing.

A second option put forward would connect the A2 at Swanscombe with the A1089 in Tilbury.

This road, known as Ferry Road, passes through the town and towards the port from which the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry departs.

The third proposed scheme would connect the M2 motorway with the A13 in Essex, which would then deliver traffic onto the M25 between junction 30 at Lakeside and junction 29 at the A127.

Mr Hammond said: “With traffic levels expected to increase by a fifth over the next 30 years, it is vital we take action now on the future of a new Lower Thames crossing to make sure that our road network is able to meet the future economic needs of the country.

“There are some tough decisions to be made, but this is the first step in making sure that the residents, businesses and motorists who rely on the crossing receive the service they expect and deserve in the years to come.”

Launching the consultation itself, he said: “I encourage anyone who uses the existing crossing or has an interest in the location of the new crossing to let us have their views on these proposals.

“This will enable us to make the right decision on the location of the new crossing.”

Six consultation events are planned in June, in both Kent and Essex.

The first will be held at Dartford library on June 13, between 2pm and 8pm.

Consultations will be held at:

June 15: Grays library, Grays – 10am to 5pm
June 17: Chadwell information centre, Grays – 2pm to 7pm
June 20: Bluewater – 10am to 9pm
June 21: Lakeside – 10am to 10pm
June 22: Gravesend library, Windmill Street – 9am to 5pm

Following the consultation launch, chairman of Campaign to Protect Rural England's Protect Kent, Richard Knox-Johnston, said he believes the development of the new crossing is "premature."

He said: “We welcome the opportunity to use this consultation to make clear that plans for a new Lower Thames crossing are premature.

"Surely we need to examine the impacts of innovations such as high-speed tolling to the current crossing before considering a new road crossing?”