by business editor Trevor Sturgess

The county council has challenged the Government to avert future transport gridlock by backing new funding streams to pay for vital projects such as a third Thames crossing.

On the day that snow brought much of Kent's transport network to a standstill, Kent County Council unveiled a six-point plan to get the county moving, create thousands of jobs and boost economic growth.

A £1bn third Thames Crossing between Gravesham and Essex tops the wish list followed by a Manston Parkway station, faster links from Dover and Thanet, dualling the A21 between Tonbridge and Pembury, easing Operation Stack with off-road lorry parking, and a more integrated transport network.

But paying for all these schemes - estimated total cost £1.77bn - at a time of public spending cuts poses the biggest challenge for KCC.

It has come up with a range of ideas, including a vignette payable by foreign lorries, banning "belly tank" trucks that fill up on the Continent, enter the country, make their delivery and return without paying a penny in UK tax.

Other plans include using Dartford Crossing toll income (tolls are due to rise in 2012) and imposing a £5-a-vehicle port landing charge. Other funding could come from the Regional Growth Fund and Europe.

KCC estimates these sources would together raise around £616m a year, more than enough to cover the £154m a year projected cost of funding the schemes over 25 years.

Paul Carter, KCC leader, said the plans were "doable and deliverable" and would test the Government's stated commitment to localism. Some had been discussed already with ministers and it was now up to "our chums in Westminster" to support the programme.

Although it was a 20-year plan, he hoped the schemes could be implemented much sooner."This is massively exciting," he said at County Hall, Maidstone. "The country is on its knees. This is exactly what the country needs. Let’s get on with it. Secretaries of State will have the power to make these things happen in a much shorter time. Let's hope they grab the opportunity."