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A significant road infrastructure project in the UK has been allocated £590m by the government. The construction of the Lower Thames Crossing, which will connect Tilbury in Essex to Gravesend in Kent, is estimated to cost around £10bn. The approval for this 14.5-mile (23km) route was granted in March after a 16-year process that has already incurred costs of £1.2bn. Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized that the new crossing would facilitate a smoother and less congested flow of essential goods from Europe to various regions.
As part of a broader £1bn investment to enhance transport infrastructure across England, this funding represents a major step forward in national infrastructure development. The government has expressed interest in securing private financing for the Lower Thames Crossing, branding it as a “national priority.” National Highways, the organization overseeing the project, anticipates a 20% reduction in traffic at the Dartford Crossing once the new route is operational. Construction is slated to commence in 2026, with an anticipated opening by 2032.
Treasury minister Emma Reynolds faced challenges when discussing the project during a radio interview. Unable to recall certain details, such as the correct name of the existing crossing and the new crossing’s location, Reynolds struggled to provide precise figures regarding the project’s cost. Estimates from National Highways place the cost between £9.2 billion and £10.2 billion, contingent upon the chosen funding model. The road will connect the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Thurrock, spanning from the eastern outskirts of Tilbury to Gravesend. Moreover, approximately 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the route will be underground, featuring parallel northbound and southbound tunnels beneath the River Thames.
The announcement of this funding was met with approval from Logistics UK, a representative body for the transport and logistics sector. Highlighting the critical importance of efficient logistics for the government’s growth objectives, policy director Kevin Green commended the initiation of work on the Lower Thames Crossing after years of delays. However, concerns have been raised by activists regarding the potential impact on ancient woodlands due to the construction. Chris Todd, director of Transport Action Network, criticized the decision, labeling the project as “absolute madness” and suggesting that diverting funds to the project could have negative implications for other regions in the UK
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