PLANS have emerged to bring a £600 million privately funded tram system linking Essex to north Kent with a new tunnel under the Thames.

The KenEx Thames Transit has been designed to relieve pressure on the often congested Lower Thames crossing, combat air pollution, and boost the economy - on both sides of the river.

It is the brainchild of financial accountant Gordon Pratt, who previously worked with the London and Southern Counties Railway Consortium.

It comes as transport links between Essex and Kent remain a key political issue in the Thames Estuary Commission - a blueprint for the Government’s business plans in the two counties.

Plans for the multi-billion pound London Paramount Theme Park are currently progressing, the resort on the Swanscombe Peninsula, near Dartford, would be twice the size of the Olympic Park and include 5,000 hotel rooms and a water park.

Despite it being in Kent, its nearest train station would, in fact, be Grays.

A controversial new Lower Thames Crossing remains in the pipeline, following the Government’s announcement in the spring over its preferred route.

There is currently a bus service between Bluewater and Lakeside, as well as the ferry between Gravesend and Tilbury.

However their combined usage is believed to only relieve 1 per cent of the total traffic using the Dartford Crossing, and campaigners have called for significant improvements to be made.

Mark Coxshall, Conservative councillor for Chafford and North Stifford, described the rail link between Essex and Kent as very poor and believes the tram scheme remains one of a couple of options.

He feels a lot will hinge on the success of the theme park.

He said: “The nearest train station to the Paramount theme park would be Grays, so there has to be better connectivity between the stations. An extension of Crossrail, crossrail two, which could take the Elizabeth Line into Thurrock is being considered.”

In March, Thurrock Council leader Rob Gledhill revealed his aim to meet bosses over how the borough can support and get access to the Paramount Theme Park. Mr Gledhill confirmed further discussion is expected within the next month.