THE Government hopes to consult with residents over its preferred option for a new Lower Thames Crossing by the start of 2016.

John Hayes, the new Roads Minister, mapped out the latest over new crossing proposals during a meeting with Stephen Metcalfe, the Conservative MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock.

The Government is currently considering which route any new crossing should take. Option A would see a new crossing built next to the current Dartford Crossing, while Option C would land a new crossing between Tilbury Fort and Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury, which proposes building a new road to join the M25 near Junction 29 for Romford and Basildon.

Mr Hayes told Mr Metcalfe that no decision would be made until detailed analysis had been conducted on the two options before a public consultation on a proposed solution takes place at the end of 2015 or early 2016.

Mr Hayes said: “The work underway is expected to lead to public consultation on a proposed solution in late 2015 or early 2016, and will allow us to choose the best option for local people and the region’s economy.”

But both Mr Metcalfe and Jackie Doyle-Price, the Thurrock MP, insist option D - which would see a new crossing link the A130 in Canvey Island with the M2 in Kent - should be thrown back in the mix before any consultation.

But the Governement claims its not a viable option, even for consideration, this time around, following a consultation in 2009.

Mr Metcalfe said: “I explained to the Minister that the current options would simply put more traffic on the A13 and the M25 and made a case for looking again at Option D which would start the creation of a new outer ring, potentially joining the Airports of Gatwick, Southend, Stansted and Luton.”

The meeting with the minister came in the same week that the road network in West Thurrock, around the current crossing, was put under severe pressure by the sheer weight of traffic using the crossing. There were long delays both on the M25 and roads around Lakeside as people queued to use the bridge.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “It is clear again from events this week that there is not enough resilience in the road network. A new crossing that adds traffic to the M25 and the A13 will simply make the problem worse. Options A and C will not cut it. We need option D.”