Press Release BRTA flabbergasted by Lower Thames Crossing Decision by Government

Press Release

BRTA flabbergasted by Lower Thames Crossing Decision by Government

BRTA expressed dismay at the Government giving the go ahead for the Lower Thames Road Crossing at £9 billion. 

This sends the wrong message out and raises questions not so much on the quest for growth, but the basis of growth and how environmentally sustainable the nature of the route the government is choosing really is?

BRTA would have preferred a 'greener' transport choice and solution, such as a rail-based solution linking Kent with Essex.

CEO Richard Pill says "London badly needs outer M25 orbital rail links, north-south, east-west on all sides to enable the exploitation of more passenger and freight by rail including to and from the Channel Tunnel as well as alleviating roads in the south-east which are heavily congestion, pounding road surfaces day after day and informing huge repair costs including the ever-present pothole agenda, so popular, but which unless traffic reduction strategies are done, will only grow the cost and bads congestion brings."

BRTA has called for:

1. Better rail links to airports including Stansted-Braintree/Colchester new rail linkages

2. Heathrow Southern Rail Link to arc Guildford with Reading and Aylesbury

3. A study into a new Luton-Milton Keynes direct local rail link

4. Reopening the Guildford-Horsham/South Coast rail link and

5. A new rail link arcing the A14, M11 and old Great Central Corridor to relieve busy West Coast Main Line, which HS2 may help, but is not the total solution.

6. In the north, neglected rail aspirations including Colne-Skipton, Woodhead and Peak Rail for example, whilst roads like A628 are upgraded!

When one surveys the M1, M25 and A14, one realises majority is juggernaut lorries, logistics and they should be on the rails, but unless we increase capacity with new and reopened rail lines agendas, not new roads with pollution in such wakes, we are wasting time, money and land and destroying the balance of quality of life with sustainable growth? Instead, the government is going to try and please road and rail lobbies, which are sending the wrong signals and trashing the environment.

End of Press Release

Further comment: Richard Pill 01234 225068 

e. richard.brta@gmail.com