AS the year draws to an end, support continues to grow for a company's plans to create a new tram network connecting Thurrock with north Kent via a tunnel under the Thames at Grays.

For the past year – and before that as the Thurrock Independent – Thurrock Nub News has been following the development of the cross Thames tramway being proposed by Thames Gateway Tramlink to be known as KenEx.

The proposal has been welcomed by backers of green and sustainable travel and it has ended the year with a renewed surge of support.

Howard Cox, a successful fuel campaigner with motoring pressure group FairFuelUK has come out in favour of the KenEx tram as a much-needed public transport across the Thames.

He says: "Despite the epidemic of anti-car policies pouring out of local authorities and the Department of Transport, and contrary to those who want to see diesel and petrol vehicles made extinct I see the cross-river link as a viable, much needed and credible public transport option, freeing road space and relieving local traffic congestion.

"This will be a win-win for all who want safe and healthy public transport that will support tough environmental targets. In complete contrast to the current draconian urban blockades being rolled out across the UK, our supporters will be delighted to see trams at the heart of a much needed common sense long term transport strategy."

And on this side of the river South Essex College says it backs the KenEx tram as a boost to young people and the local economy with cross river opportunities and specifically the benefits to students in Thurrock.

The college's Mark Bentley says: "This KenEx cross river tram would benefit the college, providing access for students domiciled in North Kent, to innovative Further and Higher Education programmes at our Thurrock Campus in Grays.

"Conversely, this transport link would also provide students on the Essex side of the river, to access work experience and job placement opportunities with organisations such as the London Resort on the south bank.

"The Thames Gateway Tramlink in part, will serve as a catalyst to curriculum development, in our engineering provision here at the college. This project will influence changes in our rail engineering and digital signalling provision, as we will look to incorporate innovative skill development to serve the required light rail and tram infrastructure operation.

"The scalability of the Tramlink system, has the potential to widen the participation and access to education at our Thurrock campus, if the network is extended further the connectivity of some of the adjacent areas to Grays centre. With this potential public transportation and mobility improvement, increased engagement with education in both 16 - 18 and adult groups, could contribute directly and indirectly to social mobility and regional economic growth."

The benefits of a tram link under the Thames have also been expounded by major cross river employer and MD of Acclaim Handling which has offices in Kent and Essex dealing with its forklift hire, sales, training and forklift servicing business.

The company's CEO Sam Woods says: "Customers come first at Acclaim and due to traffic congestion in south Essex and north Kent created by the Dartford road crossing we cannot always guarantee the response times that our customers expect.

"Unlike a new, road only crossing , we see the tram link as removing car traffic and easing local road congestion allowing our engineers to provide better service to customers. We fully support the proposed sustainable KenEx cross river tram and hope that this will be delivered soon."

There have also been positive words from the leader of Thurrock Council – and well-respected local travel campaigner Jon Lane.