Editing Dartford Crossing (section)

===Alternative routes===
The next nearest vehicle crossings to the west of Dartford are the [[Woolwich Ferry]] and the [[Blackwall Tunnel]], both well within East London.  When the bridge is closed in high winds and for maintenance, no convenient diversion exists through London for the higher-limit southbound vehicles. Those over {{convert|5.03|m|ft}} are diverted around the far side of the M25.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dartford Crossing to get tunnel and bridge closures as Dart Charge introduced and gantries installed near QEII bridge |last=Morris |first=Thom |work=Kent Messenger |date=14 May 2014 |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/dartford-crossing-gantries-17162/ |access-date=2 July 2014}}</ref>

A number of new crossings have been proposed as relief for the Dartford Crossing. The proposed [[Thames Gateway Bridge]] to the west was provisionally supported in 2004,<ref>{{cite news |title=Troubled waters |newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 October 2004 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2004/oct/20/communities.environment |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Decision details: Thames Gateway Bridge – Consultation |publisher=Barking & Dagenham Council |date=24 September 2004 |url=https://modgov.lbbd.gov.uk/internet/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=704 |access-date=4 January 2022}}</ref> but was cancelled in November 2008 when [[Boris Johnson]] became Mayor of London.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Mayor outlines ten year plan for massive transport expansion |date=6 November 2008 |publisher=Transport for London |url=http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/mayor-outlines-ten-year-plan-massive-transport-expansion |access-date=11 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629165406/http://www.london.gov.uk/media/press_releases_mayoral/mayor-outlines-ten-year-plan-massive-transport-expansion |archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref> Johnson subsequently proposed the [[Gallions Reach Ferry]], a ferry crossing in the same location, as an alternative.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boris can't put off a new Thames crossing in the east |author=Andrew Adonis |author-link=Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis |newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]] |date=11 June 2013 |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/andrew-adonis-boris-cant-put-off-a-new-thames-crossing-in-the-east-8653336.html |access-date=26 June 2013}}</ref> The [[Lower Thames Crossing]] is a proposed tunnel to the east between [[Shorne]], Kent and [[South Ockendon]], Essex.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lower Thames Crossing: 'More M25 misery' if option agreed |work=BBC News |date=15 November 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23237945 |access-date=6 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=bbc_39575467>{{cite news |title=Lower Thames Crossing route between Kent and Essex revealed |work=BBC News |date=12 April 2017 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-39575467 |access-date=26 April 2017}}</ref> [[Thurrock Council]] suggest that this crossing will be essential for managing congestion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tunnel recommended for new Thames crossing |work=BBC News |date=9 July 2013 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23237945 |access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref> A public consultation on the scheme ended in March 2016, with the route announced in April 2017.<ref name=bbc_39575467/><ref>{{cite web |title=Lower Thames Crossing Consultation |publisher=Highways England |date=25 March 2016 |url=https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/cip/lower-thames-crossing-consultation |access-date=5 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New River Thames road crossing route linking Kent and Essex unveiled |date=12 April 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/12/new-river-thames-road-crossing-route-unveiled/ |access-date=22 January 2018}}</ref>
{{As of|2023|December}}, contracts have been awarded and the target date for completion is 2032.<ref name=":7">{{cite magazine |last=Hakimian |first=Rob |date=7 December 2023 |title=Bouygues-Murphy JV wins £1.3bn Lower Thames Crossing tunnelling contract |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/bouygues-murphy-jv-wins-1-3bn-lower-thames-crossing-tunnelling-contract-07-12-2023/ |access-date=14 December 2023}}</ref>