THE virtues of a new tram system connection Thurrock with North Kent continue to be championed as the whole region is put under a government spotlight.

In recent days plans for the new London Resort theme park on the Swanscombe Penninsula and the application for a new Thames estuary free port have been put before the government and shortly a second submission from Highways England will be put forward for a new lower Thames crossing.

Amid all the jockeying for position and lobbying for support, new innovative transport systems are being promoted and among the most vibrant is a plan to cross the Thames and link the communities of north Kent and South Essex with a tram network.

The proposal is being driven by the KenEx Tram team who between them have more than 100 years of public transport experience and see huge benefits in developing a new tram network as a commercially successful and environmentally friendly option.

Managing Director Gordon Pratt says: "When the resort was proposed, it was clear there would be serious transport issues for people in north Kent, some of which already exist. Over in Essex it's much the same. From Grays you can go east, west and north via train, but you can't go south.

"So it made sense to look at an efficient crossing solution.

"It is proposed that the KenEx Tram would run under the Thames using existing simple immersed tunnel technology from Grays, connecting with Ebbsfleet international Northfleet and a likely destination at Albion Waterside located at the Gravesend Canal basin opposite Tilbury – where a new housing development is being brought forward by Joseph Homes and architects JTP.

"Bluewater and London Resort are obvious destinations with the London Resort connection in particular requiring just a short link. Future Essex connectivity could include focal points in South Essex such as Basildon and Canvey Island."

Independent highly experienced transport consultant Oliver Monahan says moving transportation onto tracks and away from roads could be the secret ingredient to reduce congestion in Thurrock for the London Resort park.

He says: "Transport to theme parks and large event sites is always difficult to manage as the ability to move large numbers of people, often thousands, at once will be critical. The local transport network must be geared towards moving huge amounts of people quickly and easily with loading and unloading and access to the transport interchange the key levers for success.

"To get 10,000 people an hour at speed to or from the theme park whilst avoiding disruption to residents mean that all modes of transport will need to work together to create a unified transport network. Moving 50% plus of that demand onto tracks and away from roads could be the secret ingredient for the London Resort Theme Park to get lots of people to site whilst keeping their neighbours both sides of the river happy at the same time.

"Figures I have seen suggest the proposed bus and boat may struggle without significant investment from the public sector to provide peak capacity. Leaving people stranded at Dartford or Gravesend looking for onward connections would not be ideal. However, multi-door loading trams with dedicated off-street sections will be a game changer and help an integrated, multi-modal low carbon approach whilst also protecting local businesses.

"With the change that is coming it is important to look at the most efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.

"A standard bus will carry 75 passengers at an average speed of six to nine mph and even if you double up to an articulated bus, which offers some cost advantages you still only increase hourly capacity to 4,500 an hour.

"A tram is not only significantly cheaper to operate, it can move 7,230 people per hour."

Mr Pratt summed up by saying: "We look forward to the scrutiny of travel and transport in Kent and Essex that these momentous times bring and we feel sure we can offer practical and sustainable solutions to the many questions that will be raised."