Why £4bn tunnel may not be a flight of fancy

12:59am Wednesday 27th February 2008

By Geoff Percival

MARK Willingale is a man with a mission. He is the driving force behind the Metrotidal project for a new £4billion Lower Thames Crossing between Canvey and Kent.

Some may say he is a dreamer with his head in the clouds. But his track record suggests otherwise.

Willingale Associates, his architectural and design company in London, has been involved in a number of prestigious schemes in the City, including restaurants, hotels and offices.

Now, Metrotidal, the company formed to promote the lower Thames road and rail tunnel plan, has issued a prospectus to encourage more interest in the scheme.

Mr Willingale said: "I believe the tunnel and associated infrastructure improvements create a development which is commercially viable, as long as London flood defence budgets are integrated with it."

Obviously, the proposals, based on a road and rail tunnel under the Thames, would be a massive undertaking. A project on this scale would take years to come to fruition, if it is ever achieved. But Mr Willingale said: "The most encouraging thing so far is there has been a welcome response to our scheme from many sources.

"People realise there will have to be a lower Thames crossing, and that being rail-based it is the most environmentally friendly solution to the problem.

"There has to be a road and rail tunnel, but with the emphasis on rail there are tremendous opportunities.

"A tunnel will be more expensive than a bridge, but it will bring with it economic advantages."

These include an eco-town on reclaimed land on Canvey and a wind turbines project.

He continued: "There has been concerns from the environmental lobby, but we believe these can easily be overcome."

However, there are some interesting possibilities shown in the prospectus if the development plans for Thames Gateway South Essex are realised.

With the Government's emphasis on public transport, and the environmental concerns about increasing car numbers, this could be the difference between success and failure.

As part of Metrotidal's blueprint, there would be a rail line from the Eurostar station in Ebbsfleet, Kent, running through the tunnel and linking up to Pitsea on the c2c rail network.

A further section of track would then be built to Wickford on the One line, effectively leading to the Crossrail project from Shenfield to Heathrow.

In addition to Crossrail, the scheme would also link up with the planned new station on the One line at Southend airport.

However, there is one issue which has not been closely addressed by any of the proposals linked with the existing rail lines.

During the rush-hour period, the Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria line is already working at virtually full capacity.

Even relatively minor incidents can mean delays running into hours as trains back up all along the system.

Adding more trains on to an already overcrowded line could be asking for trouble.

This is just one of a number of issues which will have to be addressed by the promoters of the scheme if it is to become a reality.

However, the department has launched a consultation looking at the need, and possible options, for a new crossing.