Government green light for Lower Thames Crossing

Transport trade associations have welcomed the decision by Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, to grant development consent for the £9 billion Lower Thames Crossing, which will link Essex and Kent via two tunnels under the Thames.

It is hoped that the greenlit project, which will involve the construction of the largest road tunnel in the UK, will significantly reduce traffic at the Dartford Crossing, a notorious congestion point, delays at which have an estimated annual cost to the economy of £130 million.

The new 14-mile A-road will link the A2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex.

Logistics UK chief executive David Wells said the approval of the crossing was a “momentous decision”, and that the scheme would “drive growth across the whole economy”.

“Businesses up and down the country are currently hamstrung by delays crossing the Thames, so the government’s decision to approve the Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order (DCO) today is excellent news,” he said.

“The scheme has been in the planning stages for over a decade… Industry is united in its backing for this vital trade route and when completed will unlock UK logistics, drive growth and help keep supply chains moving across the whole country.”

Meanwhile the Road Haulage Association’s managing director Richard Smith hailed the announcement as a “major victory for the road transport sector and the wider economy”.

The issues at Dartford had been among those highlighted in a recent report by the RHA on the future of the UK’s roads (Transport Operator 131).

Said Mr Smith: “I’m delighted to welcome the development consent decision on the Lower Thames Crossing. This critical infrastructure project has been a long-standing priority for the RHA…

“This nationally significant scheme has the potential to turbocharge the economy.”

He added: “The project will provide much-needed reliability for businesses. Delays at Dartford have decreased productivity and increased costs for businesses. The Lower Thames Crossing will improve journey times and boost economic growth in the region. This is more than a local project however – this is a nationally significant scheme.

“After many years of delays in giving the Lower Thames Crossing the green light, this next step in the process will be a welcome relief to operators of lorries, coaches, and vans who must navigate the daily impact of delays.

“The Lower Thames Crossing offers value for money and will bring wider economic benefits across the country. It’s a big step forward in helping to drive forward the long-term economic growth the government has pledged.”

Matt Palmer, National Highways executive director for the scheme, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is one of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects. It will unlock growth with quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys and redraw the blueprint for building major projects in a net zero future by scaling up the use low-carbon construction, and leaving a legacy of green spaces, green skills.

“Our plans have been shaped by the local community and refined by robust and rigorous examination from independent experts. We are more committed than ever to working with our neighbours to build the crossing in a way that offers them opportunities to work and learn new skills while reducing impacts.

“We are shovel ready and have our delivery partners on board, and today’s decision allows us to work with government on funding and start the detailed planning that will let us start construction as soon as possible.”