HC Deb 24 April 1989 vol 151 cc642-3
5. Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Dartford crossing will be opened to the public.

The Minister for Roads and Traffic (Mr. Peter Bottomley)

Good progress is being made on the new bridge between Dartford and Thurrock, which is due to open early in 1991.

Mr. Arnold

My hon. Friend would probably like to know that the people of north-west Kent are looking forward with considerable enthusiasm to their deliverance from the current heavy traffic james of one or more miles every day north and south waiting pass through the Dartford tunnel. Will he give details of the steps that are being taken to ensure that approch roads to the Dartford bridge will be adequate?

Mr. Bottomley

Approach roads to the bridge at Dartford and Thurrock will be increased to four lanes, the A13 southwards and A2 northwards.

Mr. Dunn

Is my hon. Friend aware that his announcement is most welcome? None the less, there are serious problems combining a need to improve the infrastructure and roads leading to the tunnel and the opening date, bearing in mind that every day the people of Dartford experience serious congestion problems? The fact that we can move forward to the opening will resolve that problem in part. I welcome what my hon. Friend has said.

Mr. Bottomley

It is important to get the necessary infrastructure in place so that the economy can continue to develop and so that places that need special relief from congestion and extra jobs can benefit from investment, such as in this case, from the private sector.