PRESS RELEASE

Government silly season spin exposes Lower Thames Crossing delusions

Today the UK Government announced it is establishing yet another new regulator and board to track 50 or so major infrastructure projects to ‘speed up’ planning. The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) ‘smart’ motorway will be the first project to have a “Lead Environmental Regulator” under the new system.

Responding to this, Transport Action Network (TAN) founder and Director, Chris Todd, said:

“Is creating more bureaucracy really the way to speed up the planning system? While a single environmental regulator for each project may make sense, there are questions as to how it will operate and how it will be overseen.

“The Defra Group Infrastructure Board reviewing the progress of projects will no doubt be stuffed with cronies from big corporate interests, dodgy think tanks and Labour Party donors. This risks ensuring that any daft project – of questionable economic value or damaging environmental impact – gets the green light.

“This silly season nonsense demonstrates once again the delusional state of mind across government on the Lower Thames Crossing ‘smart’ motorway.

“Far from cutting congestion for motorists and driving economic growth, National Highways’ own modelling shows any relief at Dartford will be temporary while the economic case for this damaging motorway is weak.

“If Labour truly want to grow the economy, help motorists and protect the environment while supporting local people, it would develop public transport solutions for the Thames Estuary.”

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Notes for editors

[1] The Government announcement.

[2] TAN was set up in 2019 by director Chris Todd to help communities press for better (and more sustainable) transport. It supports more investment in bus and rail services and active travel. To enable this and better roads maintenance (fewer potholes) it continues to oppose the previous Government’s damaging roads programme.

[3] See Myths and Facts about the LTC.

[4] An independent report for TAN by Dr Colin Black on the LTC showed how the LTC fails on all its scheme objectives (see infographic on page 7).