A Tory councillor's strong opposition to the controversial multi-billion pound Lower Thames Crossing prompted him to take a stand against the party that he serves.

The 14-mile road would link Gravesend to Thurrock in Essex using a tunnel underneath the River Thames.

Kent County Council's (KCC) Tory administration has been called on to oppose Highways England's crossing plans after it emerged last week that the route could generate five million more tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as a result.

Gravesham county councillor Bryan Sweetland (Con) said the scheme would cause "immense damage" to people's health and the area's countryside during a virtual meeting involving 81 County Hall members yesterday.

Cllr Sweetland, who has previously spoken against the major highways plan - which latest estimates suggest would cost up to £8.2bn, said: "This is an opportunity to speak out about some of these facts that will irrecoverably harm our environment."

Earlier this year, KCC's Conservative administration pledged to reduce carbon emissions to net zero on its own estate by 2030 as the government has also committed to halt carbon emissions in the UK by 2050.

"How can we put the environmental agenda up the league and discuss it more and more, but not comment on the damage to the environment the Lower Thames Crossing will cause," said Cllr Sweetland.

Economically, KCC's Conservative cabinet members say they hope to "maximise" the benefits of major projects like the Lower Thames Crossing, while also promoting green travel with more walking and cycling schemes.

This was outlined in a 30-page report, KCC's interim plan, that was published last week. It lays out the main priorities and challenges over the next 18 months in the wake of Covid, such as economic recovery and climate change.

However there was cross-party opposition from all political parties, including Tories, Lib Dems, Labour and the Greens, mainly over environment pledges.

KCC Green Party leader, Cllr Martin Whyrbow, said the council's environmental and economic ambitions were in "total contradiction" of one another.

Cllr Sweetland, who resigned as KCC highways cabinet member over the plan several years ago, said: "My constituents will breathe that carbon dioxide air."

Cllr Barry Lewis (Lab), of Margate, added: "This is absolutely the wrong way to go. We need better public transport and less dependence on cars."

Supporters said the tunnel link would create new job opportunities for school leavers and people who have been made redundant while alleviating Kent to Essex road congestion at the Dartford Tunnel in the neighbouring borough.

KCC economic development cabinet member, Cllr Mike Whiting (Con), said: "We have already seen the benefits that major capital improvements can bring to the county, such as the Channel Tunnel."

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite (Con), who has urged for cross-party consensus, said: "In Dartford, we experience massive problems every day.

"Unless there is a new crossing we know that it simply is going to travel through a narrow pipe and have no resilience to the economy."

A key vote was held over KCC's Tory recovery plan as Cllr Sweetland opposed the party that he serves with a "heavy heart" during the virtual meeting.

Despite this, the manifesto document was approved after a sweeping majority of Conservatives voted in favour.

Highways England says it has withdrawn the major scheme from the planning process to make revisions before submitting a new application next year.

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend