Today (25 March) The Transport Secretary, Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP, approved the development consent order for the Lower Thames Crossing major project.  

The Lower Thames Crossing will be a new road crossing connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Approximately 14.5 miles (23km) in length, it will connect to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels (one southbound and one northbound) running beneath the River Thames.  

CIHT welcomes the Government’s commitment to growth and the announcement of the Lower Thames Crossing. Investment in transport infrastructure is a vital part of the government’s growth agenda. However, CIHT believes that this growth must be sustainably delivered.  

CIHT believe that support for this infrastructure project must be consistent with a credible pathway to Net Zero by 2050, the delivery of major infrastructure projects should only be undertaken while remaining within the limits established by the UK's carbon budget. 

To support the delivery of infrastructure mega projects, the government should take note of the National Audit Office's recent report "Governance and decision making on mega projects" and ensure that the key insights are applied to this and any other planned project. 

More information on the approval of the Lower Thames Crossing is available to read here.  

CIHT looks forward to continuing to engage and work with the Department for Transport to create transport networks that work for all, without compromising on the Net Zero agenda.