The RHA is urging the government to give the Lower Thames Crossing near London the go-ahead after the Transport Secretary yesterday announced yet another delay to the scheme.
In a written statement to Parliament, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said that the extension, which will run until 23 May 2025, is “necessary” for further consideration of the application, including outcomes from the spending review.
This is the latest in a number of delays to the project. The Conservative government was set to decide on the future of the Lower Thames Crossing in June this year but that was pushed back until 4 October, as a result of the general election. Haigh’s announcement this week pushes it back by another eight months.
Planning for the 14.3-mile road has been underway since 2009 and has cost £800m so far.
The project is designed to ease congestion at the Dartford Crossing. It involves building a new motorway-style road linking the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex and a 2.6-mile tunnel beneath the Thames, which would become the UK’s longest road tunnel.
The RHA has long campaigned for the project to be given the go-ahead, arguing it would spark growth by increasing road capacity and reducing congestion in the region.
In a statement it said: “The proposed tunnel linking Kent and Essex would relieve pressure on the nearby Dartford Crossing which is one of the most congested roads in the country. It costs the economy more than £200m every year in lost productivity and freight delays.
“The Lower Thames Crossing would almost double capacity across the Thames east of London and would be expected to provide a boost of up to £40bn to the UK economy.”
Richard Smith, RHA MD, said: “We’re disappointed that the Lower Thames Crossing hasn’t been given the green light..
“This is a transformative roads improvement project that could create a more resilient road network and unlock investment opportunities to boost UK business.
“We urge the government to give consent to this much-needed new route that will create jobs and prosperity and drive economic growth.”
More investment in roads and infrastructure is a key RHA priority with congestion costing the economy £30bn a year. Ahead of this month’s Budget, the association is urging the Chancellor keep the £8bn allocation of Network North road maintenance funding to improve roads.
RHA is also calling for the forthcoming Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) to feature a fresh pipeline of projects to kickstart a new period of job creation and economic growth.
In the summer, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves cancelled several major infrastructure projects to save billions of pounds. However the Lower Thames Crossing was not among them.
MPs are expected to be briefed on the latest decision when Parliament returns from recess on Monday.
