Confirmation of the Lower Thames crossing route has sparked fears of gridlock and rising pollution in and around Medway.

Years of uncertainty came to an end this morning with the announcement that the Lower Thames Crossing will be built east of Gravesend, with a link road joining the £6 billion tunnel to the A2 near Strood.

Supporters of the route, dubbed Option C, include Medway Council, which announced it was “thrilled” with the announcement, as the route could drive economic regeneration in the Towns.

But others, including Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst, fear Medway’s roads will not take the huge influx of traffic to the area.

“I’m so, so disappointed,” she said. “It’s good news for commuters but not good news for the people who live here. I have big concerns about the impact the crossing will have on traffic and pollution in Medway.

“There has been no promise to improve infrastructure this side of the river - only in Essex. They will build a link road but residents know how busy the A2 is.

“I don’t want Medway to become another Dartford which is always gridlocked. Our roads are already at capacity.”

The government say the new crossing will create a new link between the A2 and the M25 and reduce the burden on the busy Dartford Crossing - with the Lower Thames Crossing expected to carry 4.5 million heavy goods vehicles in its first year.

But Medway Green Party said short term benefits in tackling congestion are likely to be eroded by an increase in traffic, and warned the existing Dartford crossings would soon be back up to full capacity.

Steve Dyke, Medway Green Party Co-ordinator said: “We feel sad for those in Shorne and Chalk and the other villages in Kent and Essex near the proposed tunnel or on the route of its associated road network who will be directly affected by this project.

“Once again an environmentally damaging infrastructure project has been justified on the grounds of making motorists lives better and the possible economic benefits it may bring. Yet again it has been decided that the solution to traffic problems is to build more roads.”

He said it was important to confirm what mitigation measures will be put in place to protect the environment and communities against the negative impact of increasing traffic, and prevent ‘infill development’ following construction of the tunnel.

“We urge Medway Council to be mindful of the impact this project may have on its residents in Strood and other areas west of the River Medway,” he added.

But Medway council stressed the potential positive outcomes of the new route - which is likely to take 10 years to build.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, said the council was “thrilled with the Secretary of State for Transport’s announcement today to back Option C”.

He added: “The council has been in favour of an additional crossing from day one, and option C WSL (Western Southern Link) has been our preferred option all along. Not only will this alleviate congestion on the Dartford Crossing, but it will create easy access into Medway from the M25 via the M2 and A2.

"This will be a major catalyst to drive further economic development in the area, attracting more business, raising aspirations and putting Medway on the map as a place with great transport connections, in addition to the existing high speed rail service into central London.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. This decision means Medway is set to become an even more convenient and desirable place to live, work, learn and visit."

But he added: “While we are pleased with the decision, it’s now essential that the Department for Transport invest in the wider road network and infrastructure to support the impact the crossing will have on Kent and Medway.”