Chancellor Rachel Reeves makes major announcement on £9billion Lower Thames Crossing
Chancellor Rachel Reeves makes major announcement on £9billion Lower Thames Crossing
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave government backing for the £9billion Lower Thames Crossing linking Kent and Essex in her “dash for growth” speech on Wednesday. In a major speech in Oxfordshire, Ms Reeves said ministers would work with the private sector to build the 14.3-mile road linking the A2 and M2 in Kent to the M25 in Essex.
The new motorway-style road in the form of a tunnel under the Thames would be the UK’s longest of its kind, and is aimed at reducing congestion at the Dartford Tunnel. A planning decision on the project, which has been ongoing since 2009 and has already cost taxpayers £800m, was due to be made in May.
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Ms Reeves said ministers would "work with the private sector to deliver the infrastructure that our country desperately needs". "This includes the Lower Thames Crossing, which will improve connectivity at Dover, Felixstowe and Harwich, alleviating severe congestion as goods destined to export come from the North and the Midlands, and across the country, to markets overseas.
"To drive growth and deliver value for money for taxpayers, we are exploring options to privately finance this important project.". If constructed, the crossing would almost double road capacity across the Thames east of London. However, it has been opposed by environmental campaigners and some local councils, with consistent opposition from Essex’s Thurrock Council.
