The UK government has committed an additional £590 million to the long-delayed Lower Thames Crossing, reinforcing its position as Britain’s most ambitious road-building project. Chancellor Rachel Reeves hailed the investment as a “turning point for national infrastructure,” while critics continue to question its cost and environmental impact.
Approved in March, the Lower Thames Crossing will include a 2.6-mile tunnel beneath the Thames, linking Essex and Kent, alongside 14 miles of new roads. The latest funding will advance preparatory work, with construction potentially starting in 2026 and lasting six to eight years.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the project stuck in planning for years would ease freight congestion between the South East, Midlands, and North. National Highways, overseeing the build, estimates a total cost of £9.2bn, including £1.2bn already spent on design.
Campaigners and residents continue to oppose the Lower Thames Crossing, citing risks to wildlife habitats and increased air pollution. The RSPB warns the project could damage protected wetlands, while local councils fear worsening congestion in surrounding areas. With legal challenges still possible, the road ahead for Britain’s most expensive transport scheme remains uncertain despite the government’s latest cash injection.
A public-private partnership option is under consideration, which could bring £6.3bn in private funding but has sparked fears of higher tolls. Campaigners warn fees could triple, though National Highways disputes this.
The funding comes alongside a £1bn “Structures Fund” for repairing bridges, tunnels, and flyovers nationwide. It precedes a 10-year infrastructure strategy, expected later this week, following last week’s £15bn pledge for regional transport outside London.
Reeves emphasized the Lower Thames Crossing would boost trade resilience, ensuring smoother goods movement from Europe. Yet, with opposition from environmental groups and local councils, the debate over its necessity and cost rages on.
For more political updates, visit London Pulse News.
