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A major proposal for a new Thames crossing has met with mixed reactions from shoppers.

Gravesend people were commenting after a report published on Monday revealed a shortlist of three possible crossings to ease the congestion at Dartford. It also highlighted ways to reduce the traffic strain.

One said they thought it was “an excellent idea”.

He said: “I use the Dartford crossing everyday to get to Gravesend. Each day you can see the traffic stacking back two or three junctions, each car pumping pollution into the air waiting to pay the toll. So if the government isn’t willing to take away the toll, then building another bridge seems the best idea.

“It’ll be fantastic for me”, he added. “I only have to make a 20-mile journey but it can often take me as long as three hours!”

Ben, a coffee shop worker on New Road, Gravesend, thinks a new crossing between Gravesend and East Tilbury can only be a good thing.

“My family work in Dartford and we have to regularly use the crossing but the tolls are a nightmare and cause too much congestion. You can just tell, Dartford just seems blocked up continuously. A new crossing in Gravesend would be a big help,” he said.

But on the other side of the debate are worries for an increase in air pollution and congestion at Gravesend.

The ongoing battle to ease the crossing bottleneck: Watch the video, edited by Patrick Gearey, at the top of this page

One shopper said: “I don’t think Gravesend’s roads could handle it, not with all the lorries that would come through here. They already come through Dover and cut through Gravesend as a shortcut. I don’t think there are enough main roads in the area to cope with an increase, and it would probably end up damaging Gravesend’s roads as well.”

A lot of people thought that taking congestion away from Dartford was important. Kentonline readers have sent us their comments, most of which point the blame at the tolls.

Paul in Rainham suggested: “How about removing the toll booths on the current crossing? It would solve the congestion problem without the need to spend billions on a new one.

“However, it does rather go against the current government's quest to bankrupt the country,” he joked.

John in Eccles thinks the toll booths are the main cause of bottlenecks on the crossing.

“The main reasons for the accidents are drivers changing lanes to try to get to the toll booths, and then changing lanes again after leaving the crossing to get to their correct destination.”

• Related article: Three new Thames crossing options unveiled>>>