Parliament plays host to ministerial event in support of Lower Thames Crossing despite government effectively kicking the plans two years down the line.
Ministers, business leaders and other influential regional figures gathered at the Houses of Parliament to drive home the message as to why Lower Thames Crossing is vital for economic growth in the South East and to alleviate the bottleneck that is the Dartford Crossing.
Attended by Roads and Transport Minister, Richard Holden, as well as MPs from Kent and Essex as well as industrial partners from across the country, the event emphasised why now, more than ever, there is a ned for a second crossing of the Thames to stimulate iconic growth at a time of financial downturn.
Speaking at the event Mr Holden said,
"Our roads are vital, they connect us ... they help the UK's business economy linking all of our major ports to cities and towns right around the country."
Echoing the sentiment, Gareth Johnson, MP for Dartford said,
"Everybody is used to the misery that the Dartford Crossing brings to local people, and how it stifles people moving around the country (but) particularly for the south east."
Crucially one of the most telling comments came from Sir John Armitt, Chairman of the National Infrastructure commission, who said,
For me, this (Lower Thames) is one of the most crucial pieces of infrastructure that we need to build at this moment."
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