THERE is increased optimism that plans for a tramlink between north Kent and Grays, probably landing in Grays, will win support.

The Department of Transport is expected to complete a review later this into the  £800M KenEx proposal includes an immersed tunnel under the River.

Supporters of the project and its backers point out that half of households within the tram's operating area do not have access to a car and furthermore new developments consisting of thousands of new homes are being constructed with one car parking space for every two properties.

"Reliable non car transport will be essential in the future, not just to meet increasing demand but also to provide car drivers with a way to avoid rapidly increasing fuel and energy costs," said a spokesperson for KenEx.

KenEx also claim that building the tram link would help alleviate congestion on the Queen Elizabeth II bridge at Dartford, bring economic growth to areas either side of the Thames and reduce carbon and particulate emissions.

The tramline has a potential for more than 10 million cross river customers every year with 2030, the target date to get the service up and running,

"We've undertaken our work to establish the potential demand and can look to other examples further in towards London at Lewisham and Woolwich where the Docklands Light Railway has been extended across the river," continued the spokesperson.

"These have been commercial successes, and we are now seeing more than 10 million people using each of those crossings per year."

Further down river, the National Highways £8.2bn Lower Thames Crossing project has been touted as a way to alleviate congestion on the Dartford Crossing but this project's own bosses have conceded that congestion on the Dartford Crossing will return around 30 years after its construction.

Furthermore the Lower Thames Crossing requires the use of a vehicle. The tram promoters say: "As the Lower Thames Crossing requires the use of a car, that leaves more than half of local residents stranded. With the tramway we have the advantage of providing a cost effective means of transport available to all"

Gordon Pratt, Managing Director from Thames Gateway Tramlink which is behind KenEx said: "We are delighted that Thurrock is seen as a suitable area for this modern technology which is essential for the UK to meet its Net Zero ambitions"