A government advisory board has recommended extending Crossrail to Ebbsfleet to link up with the High Speed 1 rail line and mainland Europe.

The Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission says the move could support up to 50,000 jobs and 55,000 new homes.

The commission, which was set up in March 2016 to develop north Kent, east London and south Essex, goes on to advise government to fund preliminary work on the project to the tune of £20m.

The report, published today, highlights the ongoing saga surrounding the creation of the London Resort theme park on the Swanscombe Peninsula, congestion and pollution and the slow delivery of 15,000 homes at Ebbsfleet Garden City as issues that could be solved by Crossrail.

Chairman of the committee Sir John Armitt said "concerted action" was needed to makes sure the Thames Estuary reached its potential, with the alternative being a massive blow to the local and national economies.

Three new Thames crossings are also recommended by 2030. Potential interchange points could be Basildon and the Medway Towns.

Dartford's MP Gareth Johnson, who held an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on the Crossrail extension in May, said: “I welcome the recommendation in the report to expand Crossrail out to Ebbsfleet and Dartford. It is ridiculous that Crossrail stops 10 miles short of High Speed 1 at Ebbsfleet.

“Bringing Crossrail to Dartford and Ebbsfleet would be a huge boost for the local economy and it will open up the area to jobs and investment. This is an issue which has secured widespread support. There is a cost involved, but the financial benefits of getting connectivity between North Kent and the capital are huge.”

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite said the news was a massive boost to Dartford and was, in his opinion, more important than the Lower Thames Crossing and London Resort.

Cllr Kite said: "Crossrail would be a game-changer for commuters and provide a desperately needed upgrade to the current rail service.

"Elsewhere, the commission does seem to have listened that housebuilding cannot continue to be forced upon our communities without significant

investment in infrastructure. Local councils unfairly bear the brunt of residents’ criticism for central government decisions when they see what appears to be uncontrolled housing growth and although we know new schools and health facilities are on the way, governments of all complexions have got to stop seeing them as things to be delivered after the population is here. That’s too late."

He added: "All in all, the report id very welcome. The one thing the commission must never forget though is that local councils like Dartford are not only here to deliver housebuilding for central government and nor should they mistake their own ambitions for our ambitions. We are here to deliver better communities for the people who live here and that means controlling density and seeing things like schools, health services, transport and other essential infrastructure delivered. That’s non-negotiable and we really won’t accept anything less."