Dangerous levels of air pollution at the Dartford Crossing have gone unreported by Government because the four lane bridge and twin tunnels were incorrectly classed as a ‘rural’ road, it has emerged.

 

The crossing, which is technically known as the A282 rather than part of the M25, carries an estimated 50 million vehicles across the River Thames every year, making it one of the UK’s busiest stretches of highway.

 

But Dartford Borough Council discovered recently that, due to its rural classification, air quality data from the crossing was not getting through to the EU which enforces limits on pollution.

 

The Council’s own statistics indicate that nitrogen dioxide levels in the area have exceeded safe limits every year for the past 15 years. Speaking to the BBC the Council’s head of transport and infrastructure Keith Kelly said he was hugely concerned.

 

“Peoples’ health is suffering quite badly and the main reason for it is because we have this large chunk of motorway running through the middle of our town,” he said.

 

“We are concerned that data from Dartford is not getting through to the EU. There hasn’t even been the threat of fines where Dartford significantly exceeds the EU recommendations as it has done for the past several years. We want help to get this resolved as soon as possible.”

 

According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs the A282 is now correctly classified as an ‘urban’ road and will be included in any future assessments reported to the EU.

 

A spokesman for the Department added: “We are firmly committed to improving the UK’s air quality and cutting harmful emissions. We will update our air quality plans in the spring to further improve the nation’s air quality.”

 

Meanwhile business leaders have urged Government to give the go ahead to the proposed new Lower Thames Crossing, which would relieve traffic pressure at Dartford.

 

Representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses, Freight Transport Association, Port of Dover and London Chamber of Commerce & Industry penned an open letter aimed at the Chancellor and demanded commitment to the project.

 

“The Dartford Crossing remains the only road across the Thames, east of London. While it may have been fit for purpose when it was constructed half a century ago, it is creaking under the pressure of 50 million crossings a year,” the letter reads.

 

This lack of capacity means the region’s road network is routinely gridlocked to the detriment of the UK’s economy. “It’s high time for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to infrastructure investment and a strong economy with the development of a new Lower Thames Crossing,” the letter concludes.

 

A spokesman for the Department for Transport responded: “We recognise that a Lower Thames Crossing is needed to reduce congestion at the existing Dartford Crossing and support economic growth both in the region and nationally.

 

“Views put forward in the Lower Thames Crossing consultation will inform the Government’s decision on the location, route and type of crossing. More than 47,000 people took part making it the largest ever public consultation for a UK road project.

 

“The Government is considering the findings and will take a decision in due course.”

 

(Photo: Highways England)