A new Thames Crossing is the key to triggering the economic regeneration of north Kent, according to a new report.

Findings by law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore said a new bridge or tunnel linking the county to Essex and beyond was vital to projects like a new Ebbsfleet garden city, the London Paramount resort in Swanscombe and the construction of thousands of houses in the Thames Gateway.

There are plans to build about 40,000 homes and more than a million square metres of commercial property during the next 20 years in the region, which covers east London, south Essex and north Kent.

The population of the area is projected to grow by 22% by 2035, higher than the national average of 20%.

North Kent – including Dartford, Gravesend, Medway, Sheerness and Sittingbourne – is home to more than 600,000 people, 42,000 businesses and a workforce of almost 250,000.

The report – entitled Thames Gateway Kent Regeneration: Business and Community Perspectives 2015 – said 15,000 homes in Ebbsfleet garden city and proposals for London Paramount had put “enormous pressure to proceed with the next river crossing and Crossrail extension to Swanscombe”.

Jon Gurney, corporate banking manager at Handelsbanken, based in Dartford, said: “Geographically we are fantastically placed, but if the area grinds to a halt it will cease to be as attractive.

“The pace of change has to be quicker. The Thames Crossing decision must happen sooner than the end of next decade or else the area will be paralysed.

“The Dartford Crossing is such a bottle neck, nothing other than a third crossing can alleviate the problem, so this needs action soon.

“The A2 with Bluewater, Paramount and 15,000 new homes in close proximity cannot cope without major improvements. This is more than just a couple of roundabouts. Significant increased capacity is required.

“We also need to ensure the infrastructure promises deliver the required end product.”

“The A2 with Bluewater, Paramount and 15,000 new homes in close proximity cannot cope without major improvements..." - Jon Gurney, Handelsbanken

The regeneration report by law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore marks
10 years since it opened an office in Dartford.

Associate Chris Kirby-Turner said: “The most high-profile transport issue to address and the most widely-perceived infrastructure problem in the area will be the second Thames Crossing.

“Ensuring that infrastructure improvements continue to be implemented adequately and timeously is critical to ensuring the successful delivery of further regeneration, particularly if major projects such as London Paramount Entertainment Resort proceed within currently envisaged timescales.”

A decision on the location of a new Thames Crossing – either next to the current crossing in Dartford or to the east of Gravesend – will be made later this year.