GOVERNMENT APPROVES £9 BILLION LOWER THAMES CROSSING PROJECT – Once completed, it will be the longest road tunnel in the UK, aiming to reduce congestion
The UK government has given the green light for the construction of the £9 billion Lower Thames Crossing, a major road project set to connect Kent and Essex via an underground tunnel beneath the River Thames.
The long-awaited infrastructure project, which includes a 14.5-mile road and a 2.6-mile tunnel, was granted a development consent order by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, as confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate. Once completed, it will be the longest road tunnel in the UK.
The Lower Thames Crossing aims to significantly reduce congestion on the heavily used Dartford Crossing, providing an alternative motorway-style route linking the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex. Officials estimate that the project will nearly double road capacity across the Thames east of London, improving connectivity, cutting travel times, and supporting economic growth in the region.
Plans for the crossing have been in development since 2009, with more than £1 billion in taxpayer money already invested in feasibility studies and planning. However, the project has faced multiple setbacks due to funding concerns, environmental impact assessments, and opposition from local communities worried about disruption and pollution.
National Highways has stated that the government is currently exploring private financing options to fund the project, signaling a potential public-private partnership to cover construction costs.
If all goes according to schedule, construction could begin as early as next year, with the new road expected to be fully operational by the early 2030s. The project is seen as a crucial investment in the UK’s transport network, promising to ease congestion, improve journey reliability, and boost trade and economic activity between the southeast and the rest of the country.
