SUPPORT continues to grow in South Essex for a company's plans to create a new tram network connecting regional centres like Basildon, Thurrock and Canvey Island with north Kent via a new tunnel under the Thames.

For the past year our sister site 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 the region, including its campus in Basildon.

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 campus.

"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 south Essex campuses. 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.

Cycling fan Lane gave an enthusiastic welcome to KenEx saying: "This looks to be a good thing for us travelling residents of Thurrock where we all need to get about but the roads are frequently clogged and fume filled.

"Trams have a long proven track record, are clean and reliable.

"I'm a keen cyclist, walker and user of buses and trains, making spaces for bikes on board the trams would be ideal.

"It's an innovative scheme which needs backing and I hope local businesses and developers have the foresight to invest and Thurrock Council's elected representatives and officers of the council have the wisdom to encourage and support this initiative."

Council leader Rob Gledhill said: "This is an exciting project that had great possibilities and I look forward to seeing the plans as they develop."