Transport Action Network (TAN) today welcomed the delay but nonetheless urged Transport Secretary Louise Haigh to scrap the £9 billion Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) as the planning decision was postponed for a second time [1]. TAN said Louise Haigh should use the time to examine the significant concerns with the scheme by independent experts, the local Labour MPs, and the local Labour councils in Thurrock and Gravesham.
Chris Todd, TAN’s Director, said:
“We hope Louise Haigh will use this breathing space to fully engage with the concerns about this outdated project. It fails on all its objectives and would provide only 5 years relief at Dartford, less time than it would take to build. Proceeding with it would be madness.
“The £9bn price tag is just the tip of the iceberg as National Highways has hidden the true costs of a deliverable scheme, which is already more expensive per mile than HS2. Even then it undermines all five of Labour’s missions and ambitions to move freight onto rail, improve public transport and protect nature.
“That said, something does need to be done in this area. However, it requires a fresh approach, looking at all the transport needs of the region, not just a road crossing. The blinkered approach to the problems at Dartford got us into this mess in the first place.”
TAN is urging the Transport Secretary to consider an independent expert report into the Lower Thames Crossing by leading consultant, Dr Colin Black, which outlines the many failings of the LTC. Dr Black participated in the six-month long planning examination, on behalf of Thurrock Council who are opposed to the scheme. TAN believes that further problems with the design are yet to emerge.
The LTC is opposed by the new Labour MPs Jen Craft MP (Thurrock) and Dr Lauren Sullivan MP (Gravesham) whose constituencies the LTC runs through. The new Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, James McMurdoch MP, is also opposed. Thurrock and Gravesham Councils also oppose the scheme.
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Notes to editors:
[1] Written Statement from Louise Haigh on Monday, 7 October to delay the decision until 23 May, 2025.
The decision whether to grant the Development Consent Order (DCO) had previously been deferred in May 2024, due to the general election announcement.
[2] TAN has recently commissioned an independent expert report into the Lower Thames Crossing by leading consultant, Dr Colin Black, which outlines the many failings of the LTC.
[3] TAN has opposed the Lower Thames Crossing since it was founded in 2019, responding to consultations, and participating in the DCO examination in 2023. TAN has also supported the Thames Crossing Action Group (TCAG) who have opposed the LTC since 2016.
[4] TAN was set up five years’ ago by director Chris Todd to help communities press for better (and more sustainable) transport. We support more investment in bus and rail services and active travel. To enable this and better roads maintenance (fewer potholes) we continue to oppose the previous government’s damaging roads programme. We also support better integration between transport and planning.
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