A local authority has reiterated it is still opposed to the proposed site of the Lower Thames Crossing.

Gravesham Borough Council discussed the scheme last night (June 20) at a full council meeting as the official six-month examination into National Highways’ application for a development consent order started.

Councillors voted unanimously to reaffirm the authority’s opposition to the siting of the proposed crossing, endorsed a number of key mitigation measures they want to see for Gravesham if the project goes ahead, and confirmed their objection to the loss of land at Cascades leisure centre.

Speaking after the meeting, leader of the council, Cllr John Burden, said: “Since December 2015 we have been consistent in our opposition to the proposed site of the Lower Thames Crossing because of the impact it will have on our local residents, businesses and the environment.

“With a number of new members, both Labour and Conservative, having been elected in May, it was important to give them a chance to make their views heard as we go into the public examination of the proposals.

“This vote sends a very clear message to both the examining authority and National Highways that we remain resolute in our view that this is the wrong site for a new Thames crossing.”

The controversial project, which aims to reduce congestion at the Dartford Crossing by building a 2.6 mile tunnel connecting Kent and Essex, has been in the works for years.

But the government announced in March delays meant construction would be pushed back two years to iron out planning issues and review inflationary pressures.

National Highways has since confirmed that the earliest construction could start near Chalk, Gravesend, is 2026 if the project gets the Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Planning Inspectorate, which has been appointed by the government to independently examine the application.

Cllr Burden added that the support of members from across the borough highlighted the real concerns about the detrimental impacts the crossing would have throughout Gravesham.

He said: “Of course, a lot of the focus is on the environmental impact, noise, disturbance, and health concerns we have for those living closest to the tunnel portal and the approach road in Gravesend.

“But the impact will be felt far more widely than that.

“We have very real concerns about the effect of the big increases in traffic on the A227 corridor through Vigo, Meopham and Instead Rise, and the A226 between Higham and Gravesend and all the health implications that brings for residents in those areas.”

Members also endorsed a list of key asks of National Highways for measures to bring benefits to Gravesham should the crossing go ahead.

These included free or discounted travel for residents over the crossings, increasing environmental improvements such as tree planting, infrastructure to support the use of hydrogen as fuel and a skills and training hub to allow residents to take advantage of the construction job opportunities.

They also want improved leisure infrastructure connected to the new Cascades, a proper supply of housing for construction workers on the project and addressing concerns about traveller caravans on two sites which would be surrounded by construction work for five and a half years.

Cllr Burden said: “As we head into the examination process for the crossing, we will continue to argue our case on two fronts – firstly, that this is the wrong place for it; secondly, if it is to go ahead, this borough deserves full and proper mitigation measures to compensate for the huge impacts it will have on our quality of life.”

After being accepted for examination in November last year the project is currently in the pre-examination stage.

The preliminary hearing is the last part of this stage before the main six month examination begins after which the Secretary of State will be tasked with making a final decision.