Hundreds of people are expected to gather tonight to hear about plans for a new Thames crossing.

Ahead of the meeting, Shorne Parish Council has distributed detailed plans by the Department for Transport showing how option C would cut Shorne Woods Country Park in half.

It would also run alongside St Mary's Church, Chalk.

A council spokesman said: "You can see the impact the road could have. While all the layouts are marked ‘illustrative only’, it is clear there has been engineering input in order to have arrived at this level of detail.

"This would bring the road much closer to the village. It would have a major impact on upper Shorne in areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

"It would have a major impact on the country park and would destroy much of the Scammells. The impact on Chalk Church could be severe."

The vicar of St Mary's at Chalk, the Rev Nigel Bourne, said: "We've sent a letter out to all the people in our area highlighting what is planned.

"I think it would be a calamity for everyone.

"Whether they put it 200 yards this way or that, the quality of life for residents in Chalk will be destroyed – the traffic, the noise, the pollution.

"It will destroy the history we have here and the quiet church that has served people in Chalk for about 1,000 years.

"The road will be so close to the church and the degree of callousness it shows reveals they have no regard to the quality of life of people that live here."

Option C – the most expensive – has been getting the most attention after Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite said this would be his preferred option.

Option A is for another crossing at the site of the existing tunnel and bridge.

Option B, the shortest route, would connect the Swanscombe peninsular and the A1089 in Essex.

This one has raised fears that it would scupper plans for the £2 billion Paramount theme park that could create 28,000 jobs.

Option C would join the M2 with the A13 in Essex. A variant of this proposal also suggests widening the A229 between the M2 and M20.

Like plans for the current crossing next year, the tolls for the new crossing, which would be two lanes wide, would use free-flow technology meaning there are no barriers.

People would pay via the internet or phone or continue to use a Dart Tag.

The price is likely to be £2.50.

Currently there are more than 40 million vehicles a year using the crossing during charged hours, between 6am and 10pm.

It is forecast to increase to about 50 million without another crossing and about 70 million with a new one.

The public consultation on the government’s three proposed routes continues until July 16.

The meeting to discuss the plans takes place at Thamesview School, Thong Lane, Gravesend, from 7.30pm tonight.

It will also be streamed live here.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said: "Dartford is fed up with the impact it currently endures from the Dartford Crossing so another in the Dartford area would be unwelcome.

"The last government produced these three options that are being consulted on but I would like to see how the new free-flow system works before a decision is made on where to locate a further Thames crossing.

"It would be premature to give the go-ahead right now.

"In autumn 2014 the automated booths at the Dartford Crossing come in to operation.

"It would be far more beneficial to monitor the effects of this first before commissioning yet another intrusive and expensive Thames crossing in North West Kent."

Gravesham MP Adam Holloway said: "We are all very concerned at the possibility that a new Thames crossing might be built on green belt land to the east of Gravesend.

"Any such crossing here would have serious implications for Higham, Chalk, Shorne and Riverview Park.

"Please attend the meeting on Thursday if you can - or at least get something into the consultation. I want them to be in no doubt as to the impact this proposal would have.

"The fact is, whatever government was in power, it would be looking at a new crossing. The challenge for everyone here in Gravesham of every party is to make sure that it is not here.

"And lets not forget the cost - £5 billion - that is 5,000 million pounds. As opposed to two or three elsewhere."

Dartford council, in partnership with the Gravesend and Dartford Messengers, will be hosting a public meeting about the crossing options on Wednesday, July 10.

The meeting will include a presentation from the Department for Transport and contributions from other interested parties including council leader Jeremy Kite explaining the council's view that Dartford should not be home to a new crossing.

There will be time for questions and answers from people who live and work in the area.

Cllr Kite said: "This meeting gives Dartford residents the chance to find out as much as they can and reply to the consultation before the closing date."

It takes place at 7pm in the Ballroom, Acacia Hall, Dartford. Doors open at 6.30pm and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

A debate will also be held on Monday, July 8 at the Hilton Dartford Bridge Hotel at 6pm.

Panellists include KCC leader Paul Carter, David Burch from the Essex Chamber of Commerce and John Kent, Labour leader of Thurrock council.

Admission is by ticket only and the deadline for applications has passed.

Full consultation documents can be found here.