Lower Thames Crossing consultations underway

Public consultation events are now being held on one of the most ambitious highways projects in recent times, with said project being in the form of the multi-million pound Lower Thames Crossing that will link Essex, Thurrock, and Kent, East of London.

Going into more detail, the Lower Thames Crossing will consist of a 14.3 mile long tunnel extending underneath the River Thames to the East of London, with a proposed speed limit of 70 miles per hour and results that are expected to double road capacity and substantially reduce delays in the area.

Lasting a total period of eight weeks until the 25^th March 2020, after it began on the 29^th January, the public consultation period is being organised by Highways England and follows surveys and ground investigations in addition to feedback from 29,000 sources which were all received during the previous consultation phase in 2018.

The Director of Highways England’s Complex Infrastructure Programme, Chris Taylor stated: “The Lower Thames Crossing is Highways England’s most ambitious scheme in 30 years, and we are designing a new route that will boost the local and regional economy, while providing quicker and more reliable journeys.

“We have made some changes to the design of the scheme based on new information, feedback from our consultation in 2018 and ongoing engagement with local the community and organisations. This further consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say on the changes before we submit our planning application later this year.”

The River Thames is the second longest river in Britain after the River Severn flows into the North Sea, with above ground crossings including the London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Chelsea Bridge, Dartford Crossing, and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge.

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