Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures are being considered to reduce congestion at Dartford (a) before and (b) after the construction of a Lower Thames Crossing; and if he will make a statement.

Studies regarding traffic congestion near the Dartford Crossing about A282 junctions 1a, 1b and M25 junction 2 have been completed to see what improvements could be made and these studies have informed the package of local improvements that is now being carried out by Highways England and Kent County Council. At junction 1a, yellow box markings have been added and the traffic signal timings have been optimised. Signal timing reviews at junctions 1b and 2 should be completed by the end of December 2016. In addition, journey time sensors are now being installed on the approaches to Dartford to improve the information being given to drivers and to improve the management of traffic to ease congestion more quickly. These measures are designed to improve local traffic flow at these junctions. The whole package of works is due to be completed by December 2017.

Highways England will continue to look for ways to improve traffic flows at the Crossing and on the surrounding network. For the period from 2020 and beyond, the Government is looking at what further measures can be taken. This is being considered through the current round of the Route Strategy Studies, which will inform road investment priorities for 2020 – 2025 and beyond.