Planning granted for ‘most significant road project in a generation’

Planning permission has been granted by the Government to construct what National Highways describes as the most significant road project in a generation.

National Highways’ A122 Lower Thames Crossing project will help tackle long-standing congestion at Dartford by almost doubling road capacity across the Thames east of London.

The new 14-mile A-road will link the A2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex through the longest road tunnel in the UK. 

For more than 60 years, the Dartford Crossing has stood as the only road crossing across the Thames east of London and is used by far more traffic than it was designed for, creating a bottleneck that causes delays and diversions.

The Government is currently exploring private finance options for the project, with construction potentially starting next year (2026) and the new road expected to open in the early 2030s.

Matt Palmer, National Highways executive director Lower Thames Crossing, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is one of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects. 

“It will unlock growth with quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys and redraw the blueprint for building major projects in a net zero future by scaling up the use low-carbon construction, and leaving a legacy of green spaces, green skills.”

He added: “We are shovel ready and have our delivery partners on board, and today’s decision allows us to work with Government on funding and start the detailed planning that will let us start construction as soon as possible.”

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, announced Government support for the road-building project in a major speech on economic growth in January.  

Welcoming the Government’s decision, Richard Smith, managing director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), said: “This critical infrastructure project has been a long-standing priority for the RHA. This is a major victory for the road transport sector and the wider economy. 

“The project will provide much-needed reliability for businesses. Delays at Dartford have decreased productivity and increased costs for businesses. 

“The LTC (Lower Thames Crossing) will improve journey times and boost economic growth in the region. 

“This is more than a local project however - this is a nationally significant scheme. After many years of delays in giving LTC the green light, this next step in the process will be a welcome relief to operators of lorries, coaches, and vans who must navigate the daily impact of delays.”

He added: “The Lower Thames Crossing offers value for money and will bring wider economic benefits across the country.  

“It’s a big step forward in helping to drive forward the long-term economic growth the Government has pledged.”

Hydrogen-powered fleet

The National Highways project is the first in a new generation of projects that will accelerate the construction industry’s move to net zero by using fuels such as hydrogen to power its construction fleet and only using low-carbon concrete and steel. 

This approach to carbon has cut the project’s estimated construction footprint by around half so far, with a target to achieve a 70% reduction. 

The new blueprint for low-carbon construction created on the project is already being replicated across other sectors ranging from nuclear and water to rail and aviation.

The Lower Thames Crossing project will also restore nature across Kent and Essex by delivering six times more green space than road. 

Plans include one million additional trees, a new community woodland, and two new public parks overlooking the Thames. 

In addition, it will encourage active travel across the area by providing almost three miles of new or improved routes for walkers, cyclists, or horse riders for every mile of new road.

The design of the new road was developed following a programme of consultation with the local community and a range of organisations. 

Improvements made following feedback include future proofing it with three lanes in each direction along most of the route, reducing the impact on ancient woodland by 70%, and increasing the length of the tunnel to reduce impacts on local communities and the environment. 

Around 80% of the route now runs through a tunnel, cutting or embankment to blend it into the landscape and seven green bridges will blend the road into the landscape and provide safer crossing points for people and wildlife, says National Highways.