Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that the UK government is actively exploring private finance options for the £9bn Thames Crossing road scheme.
This project has been a focal point for discussions on improving infrastructure and connectivity within the UK, particularly in relation to facilitating the movement of goods for export.
Reports about the possibility of private funds being sought for the major new road scheme – which would include the country’s longest road tunnel – surfaced last summer. They have been confirmed by the chancellor during her “Plan For Change” speech today, 29 January.
Reeves articulated the urgency of the matter, stating: “We are not wasting any time, and we will move forward with the next steps of the Industrial Strategy ahead of its publication in the spring. We will 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 to deliver value for money for taxpayers.
“We are exploring options to privately finance this important project, and we have changed course on public investment too, with a new investment rule to ensure that we do not just count the costs of investment, we count the benefits too.”
The Lower Thames Crossing, if realised, will feature 23km of new road connecting the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex, featuring a 4.2km tunnel under the River Thames. It is anticipated to cost at least £9bn and its purpose is to ease traffic around the Dartford Crossing, which has been plagued by congestion for many years.
However, the scheme has not yet received planning permission, with the deadline for the decision regarding its development consent order (DCO) having been continually delayed. A decision is now expected by 23 May. The lack of a DCO has added to the uncertainty surrounding the project’s timeline and its ultimate realisation.
Additionally, the scheme has garnered its share of controversy. Environmental groups and local communities have raised concerns about its potential impact on air quality, wildlife and local landscapes. Critics argue that instead of building new infrastructure, the government should focus on improving existing transport links and investing in sustainable alternatives to road travel. The development has also sparked debates about the prioritisation of public funds, particularly in light of competing infrastructure demands across the country.
National Highways and Lower Thames Crossing assert the environmental credentials of the project, however. It will see the creation of vast new public green spaces and bridleways, while National Highways has also designated it as a ‘pathfinder’ for carbon neutral construction. This will see it use hydrogen and electric plant as far as possible, as one mitigating factor.
The project has been broken up into three main works packages:
At NCE Tunnelling Conference in December 2024, BMJV project director Antoine Schwob provided more details about how the project intends to use Europe’s largest tunnel boring machine to drive the six-lane tunnel.
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