Prime Minister David Cameron should intervene to remove the possibility that a new Thames crossing could cut through the proposed Paramount Park.

That's the view of Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite who chaired a public meeting last night into the three options for a new Thames crossing.

About 50 people piled into Acacia Hall to hear from Department for Transport (DfT) deputy director Fiona Wilson.

Ms Wilson outlined to residents the three options on offer and insisted no decision had been made as to a preferred option and all consultees' views would be listened to.

But there are fears that including option B – which cuts right through Paramount park – is putting investors off.

Cllr Kite, who along with Gravesham leader John Burden have been meeting potential investors, said: "Dartford and Gravesham councils are working our socks off trying to win inward investment for this area.

"We are meeting experienced and highly credible investors from the UK and overseas to talk about the great opportunities here and almost the first question they now ask is why the Government is even thinking about a crossing at the Swanscombe peninsula?

"The only answer seems to be that the route appeared in a consultant's report in 2009 but that's simply not good enough.

"We asked the DfT representative whether the situation had been raised at the heart of government and I am sure both councils would be willing to take things to the Prime Minister if it looked like damaging inward investment."

Dartford council has officially responded to the consultation, plumping for option C which would put it east of Gravesend.

Cllr Kite added: "It's impossible to overlook the huge economic and environmental benefits of allowing traffic to cross the Thames at the earliest opportunity and the reassurance of having an alternative crossing point to cope when there are incidents or accidents at Dartford."

On Monday, KCC will sign off its response. Leader Cllr Paul Carter has said the authority will be opting for option C too – though these would be with modifications.

These include dualling more sections of the A2 approaching Dover; improving the M2 Junction seven at Brenley Corner to provide free flow between M2 and A2; and improvements to A249 Detling Hill.

Mr Carter is also expected to urge the DfT to drive the project forward for a 2020 opening - five years ahead of one estimated opening date.

Gravesham council discussed the plans last night too and is urging the government to wait and see what happens with free flow tolls.

Gravesham council leader Cllr John Burden said: "We will be opposing all the options A, B and C.

"I should be clear that we did have a motion supported by all members of Gravesham that opposed the crossings and wanted to see what would happen when the barriers are removed.

"This is something the community should work together on.

"Option B is still on the table and after discussions with the DfT we were told it had to be completed by 2019 because they could not have both schemes and I don’t think that can be achieved if it goes through Swanscombe, the developers would walk away and we will be losing the opportunity for 27,000 jobs."

The barriers at the Dartford crossing are predicted to come down in October 2014.

The first Dart­ford tun­nel was built at a cost of £13 mil­lion and opened to traf­fic in November 1963.

In May 1980 another tunnel opened for £45 million and in October 1991, the £86 million bridge opened.

There is a full report on previous meetings in the Gravesend Messenger - out today.