Huge traffic congestion at Dartford’s river crossing is “nothing short of a national disgrace” and could be linked to high death rates from pollution.

That was the view of Dartford MP Gareth Johnson (Con) when he placed the misery crossing’s woes under the spotlight of a Commons debate.

“According to Public Health England, a staggering 6.7% of the deaths in Dartford are at least partly attributable to long-term exposure to human-caused particle air pollution,” Mr Johnson told MPs during the debate he had secured.

“In other words, more people die from air pollution in Dartford than anywhere else in Kent or Essex.” He added: “I shudder to think of the problems that will be caused if another crossing was to be built at Dartford.”

The debate came as the government plans to launch a public consultation on a new Thames crossing site expected imminently. The Department for Transport will choose options A or C from a previous consultation, one close to the existing route and another east of Gravesend.

Adam Holloway, MP for Gravesham (Con), said: “It strikes me that we need to fix the appalling problems at Dartford - I was not aware of the awful statistics he (Johnson) mentioned on respiratory illnesses.

“But is it not the answer, therefore, to fix the problem at Dartford, rather than unnecessarily create a whole range of problems for 20,000 people to the east of Gravesend?”
Mr Johnson replied: “Understandably he wants a crossing, but not in his constituency and I fully understand the reasons why.

“My argument is that if we had another crossing east of Gravesend, we would see far less of the stationery traffic that creates the most pollution,” adding, “we need an alternative.”

Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester and Strood (Con), addressing Mr Johnson, said: “Does my honourable friend agree that, whatever option is put forward, we need a real strategic view and a project that suits north Kent’s development over the next 20 years and meets our needs?”

Mr Johnson agreed, saying the Gravesend option would ensure vehicles using the M20 were able to cross the Thames.

Transport minister Andrew Jones said he agreed with Mr Johnson on many of the issues raised.

He also supported Mr Holloway’s view that “creative approaches” were required, acknowledging there was no single, “silver-bullet” answer. While recognising there were no easy options for a new crossing, Mr Jones said: “There will perhaps be some difficulty in getting everyone behind it, but I have no doubt that we need to get it in place.”

On a related aspect, he acknowledged the Dart Charge crossing system’s performance was one of concern and he’ll be calling in the operators.

Speaking outside the Commons, Mr Johnson told the Messenger: “After the debate I had a chat with the minister and he confirmed they will be launching the consultation shortly on the location of the actual crossing.

“Clearly that is the time when people in Dartford need to be making their feelings known and I will be helping local people to convey their views on where any new crossing should be situated. I feel passionately though that any new crossing should not be located at Dartford.”