An image of Thong which will be destroyed if a crossing is agreed, say campaigners

Campaigners who forced council chiefs in to a U-turn over controversial plans to build homes on green belt land are starting the battle againt plans for a new Thames Crossing.

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The government plans to build an additional crossing to alleviate pressure at the congested Dartford Crossing, with proposals including a bridge east of Gravesend.

Protect Kent, a branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) joined thousands of residents in fighting proposals to build hundreds of homes in the same part of the county, and are now sending out a rallying call to arms once again.

District spokesman Alex Hills, of Istead Rise, near Gravesend, accused Kent County Council of “double standards” for fighting the housing plans in Gravesham Borough Council’s Local Development Framework (LDF) on grounds the green belt should be protected while supporting the crossing affecting the same areas.

He claims the benefits of the plan are vastly exaggerated and it would devastate communities in Higham, Thong and Riverview Park, damaging green belt, woodlands and impacting on picturesque Shorne Country Park, with Meopham and Cobham becoming traffic rat-runs.

Mr Hills said: “Children will be hardest hit because of the effect of the increased noise and air pollution on health and education. The effect that this ‘road to ruin’ will have on every aspect of people’s lives cannot be over stated.”

CPRE Protect Kent is urging residents to demonstrate the same people power as they did in fighting the LDF Plan.

He added: “Protect Kent has avoided a high profile campaign against the crossing until now as there was a risk of homes being blighted needlessly. However, now that KCC are pushing so hard for a new crossing within five to six years’ time we must publically challenge the outrageous destruction of the environment that KCC is pushing for.

“Wherever you live in Kent or Essex, the increase in Traffic means that this crossing will affect you!”

The ardent campaigner has led many initiatives against large-scale development since the Cliffe Aiport plan was defeated in 2001 in a consultation in to the future of the avaiation industry.

Other proposals include a second crossing at Dartford or one near Swanscombe Peninsula

If you do not want the crossing contact CPRE Protect Kent on 01233 714540 or log on to http://www.cprekent.org.uk/