Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Granted

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The Lower Thames Crossing project has officially been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport. This landmark decision marks a significant milestone in the development of the UK’s road infrastructure, promising to enhance connectivity between Kent, Thurrock, and Essex.

The Lower Thames Crossing will be a new road crossing approximately 14.5 miles (23km) in length, connecting the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels running beneath the River Thames. This project aims to relieve pressure on the existing A282 Dartford Crossing and is estimated to cost between £6.4bn–£8.2bn, with completion expected by 2030.

The application for the Lower Thames Crossing was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by National Highways on October 31, 2022, and accepted for Examination on November 28, 2022. Following a thorough Examination process, which included input from the public, Statutory Consultees, and Interested Parties, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on March 20, 2024.

The Examining Authority listened to and considered all local views and evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation. The decision, along with the recommendation and evidence, is publicly available on the National Infrastructure Planning website.

The Lower Thames Crossing is expected to support 22,000 jobs during construction and create hundreds of opportunities for apprentices, graduates, and trainees. This project will not only add billions to the UK economy once opened but also aid in economic recovery by supporting 10,000 jobs during the peak of construction.

Article Credit: Paul Brooks, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce