THE government has again ruled out reconsidering earlier options for a new lower Thames crossing.

At a Westminster Hall debate on the subject yesterday roads minister Robert Goodwill made clear only Option A of building a new crossing at the site of the Dartford bridge and two different versions of Option C are still on the table.

Option B connecting the A2 at Swanscombe with the A1089 in Tilbury was ruled out in December.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson took part in the debate called by Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price.

He said afterwards: "We all believe the tolls should be scrapped on the current crossing and I’m never going to stop campaigning for that.

"The Department for Transport have confirmed the toll booths will be removed in October and for me that can’t come soon enough."

The booths are set to be replaced by a free flow charging system.

Option C would connect the M2 with the A13 in Essex at a cost of £3.1 billion, rising to £5 billion if additional work were to be done widening the A229 between the M2 and the M20.