A new Thames crossing should be built near to the existing Dartford bridge according to a think tank led by former transport minister Lord Adonis.

It is one of four new river crossings recommended in a report by the Commission on East Thames Crossings, which it says could kick off regeneration in the Thames Gateway area, which runs from east London through north Kent to Sheppey and south Essex.

The recommendation comes as the Government continues to draw up detailed plans for a new Lower Thames Crossing at one of two locations, including next to the QEII Bridge in Dartford, known as Option A.

The other would cut through woodland and villages east of Gravesend, known as Option C.

Report co-author Sam Sims said: "More research is required before Option A or C is chosen but it is important that this decision is taken as quickly as possible."

While there are 17 river crossings within 20 miles west of Tower Bridge, there are only three on the equivalent stretch going east.

The report says this is suppressing the economy of the area, where policymakers have long held ambitions of building up to 200,000 homes and creating 350,000 additional jobs.

Building new crossings at Silvertown, Gallions Reach, Belvedere and near to the existing Dartford Crossing would help solve this, according to think tank Centre for London.

The report also argues a crossing at Dartford is needed to alleviate future pressure created by a proposed garden city at Ebbsfleet and Paramount resort on the Swanscombe Peninsula.

The measures would also:

• Cut cross-river journey times by up to 40 minutes
• Catalyse the development of up to 45,000 homes to 2031
• Improve the productivity of existing firms in the area by over £55m a year
• Kick start the development of up to 60,000 jobs to 2031
• Contribute over £1bn extra GVA a year.

The Commission on East Thames Crossings chair Lord Adonis said: “People living in the East Thames area have been waiting decades for these crossings and the economic benefits they will bring.

“We now have a real window of opportunity to deliver them, capitalising on recent investments in Crossrail and the Olympic boroughs. This report shows how that can be done.”

Docklands Business Club chairman Janette Withey said: “We know all too well how important these new crossings are for improving reliability.

“Time is money, and having staff or deliveries sat in traffic jams trying to cross the river is something local businesses can ill afford.”

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: “I agree that we need a further crossing over the Thames but placing it next to the existing crossing at Dartford would not give an alternative to motorists.

“People in Dartford are fed up with the pollution and congestion the crossing creates.

"We need to divert vehicles away from the Dartford area and give a genuine extra option to the motorist.

"Building another crossing at Dartford will not achieve this.”

To view the report, click here.

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