The M2 must be widened and other key links improved to avoid Kent being brought to a standstill by the planned Lower Thames Crossing.

That's the call from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) which has published its response to Highways England’s consultation on plans, which closes today.

While the business-led group is broadly supportive of the scheme - stating that improved cross-Thames connectivity is critical to the Kent, Medway and the South East’s future economic vitality - it also warns that "resilience must be built into Kent and Medway’s wider transport network to ensure congestion is eliminated."

SELEP's suggested improvements include the widening of the M2 to three lanes along its whole route - but the partnership says widening between junctions 4 at Hempstead and 5 near Stockbury is essential.

It also calls for improving links between the M2 and M20, specifically upgrades to the A229 Blue Bell Hill and the A249 Detling Hill, warning that traffic modelling has underestimated the impact of the Lower Thames Crossing on these routes.

Other improvements include upgrading of junction 7 of the M2 at Brenley Corner to improve flows between the M2 and A2; dualling the A2 from Lydden to the Port of Dover; and the delivery of a network of lorry parks across the M2 and M20 corridors.

North of the Thames, SELEP has raised concerns over the limited access proposed to the crossing from the Thurrock area, calling the removal of a link to Tilbury Port a "retrograde step" that eliminates the potential for growth and ignores the national significance of the port.

Christian Brodie, Chair of SELEP, said: “It is perhaps reflective of the foresight and ambition of the senior politicians and senior business leaders on the South East LEP board, that we have also looked beyond the Lower Thames Crossing – specifically to the requirement for crossings further east to accommodate the sustained growth of our area. We would wish to engage in those conversations with the Department for Transport and Highways England.

“For now, our focus should be on supporting the Lower Thames Crossing and ensuring that we all work together to realise the maximum possible benefit across our whole area. Local communities need to be convinced of the opportunity rather than the imposition.

“Our ability to trade and to grow has never been under more scrutiny. We should therefore push ahead at pace, whilst respecting and responding to local requirements at every possible step.”

It was revealed yesterday that none of the money earmarked for the crossing will be given to making these improvements.

For more details on SELEP and its work, visit southeastlep.com