Lower Thames Crossing: chancellor confirms bid for private funding

CPRE Kent believes environmental and financial impacts outweigh claimed benefits

The government has confirmed that it is looking to fund the Lower Thames Crossing between Kent and Essex through private finance.

During a wide-ranging speech setting out her administration’s ambitions for economic growth, Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the crossing as part of the “infrastructure our country desperately needs”.

However, despite statements from some politicians and commentators to the contrary, the scheme has not yet been confirmed. The delayed decision on the Development Consent Order is in fact due to be announced by transport secretary Heidi Alexander on Friday, May 23.

Today in Oxfordshire, signalling her support for the project, the chancellor said: “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 deliver value for money for taxpayers, we are exploring options to privately finance this important project.”

Estimates on the cost of the project vary according to which news outlet you read but range from £8 million to £10 million.

CPRE Kent has made substantial representation to the lengthy planning process and maintains its view that the adverse environmental and financial impacts of the proposed scheme outweigh any purported benefits.

• For more on the Lower Thames Crossing, click here