MP Jackie Doyle-Price insists the battle to prevent a new Thames crossing being built in Thurrock is not over.

During a Commons debate last week, Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said the Government would not look again at options for a new bridge or tunnel further down the river at Canvey or Southend.

Thurrock MP Ms Doyle-Price and the South Basildon and East Thurrock MP, Stephen Metcalfe, had called on the Department for Transport to look again at those options.

Instead, the department said it was keen to iron out problems with Option A, which would see a new crossing built next to the current Thurrock-Dartford one, and Option C, which would be between Tilbury Fort and Coalhouse Fort before joining the A13.

Option B, to build a new crossing in the Grays Beach Park area, was dropped in December.

Ms Doyle-Price said: “I think it a dereliction of leadership that highways authorities in Essex and Thurrock have not come up with good evidence-based analysis as to why the other options won’t work. Since the debate, I have followed up points raised with the minister.

“I have also made these arguments to the Prime Minister and asked that resilience at the Dartford crossing be properly assessed at the Govern-ment’s emergency planning committee.

“The fat lady has not sung yet.”