PRESS RELEASE

Lower Thames Crossing Failings Exposed in Expert Report

With the UK Government imminently expected to take crucial decisions on the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), Transport Action Network (TAN) today released a devastating independent report into the legacy Conservative scheme which it has submitted to Labour’s Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh MP.

Written by Dr Colin Black – a highly experienced transport consultant who served as strategic lead to Thurrock Council during the 6-month long examination of the scheme’s Development Consent Order (DCO) – the report describes the LTC as “a dinosaur scheme from another era that really should be extinct”.

The LTC is projected to cost at least £9bn and is the largest scheme left behind from the Conservatives’ roads programme. Even under the optimistic projections of its promoters – National Highways – and with many costs removed, the road is expected to return only 22p for every pound spent. This is a far lower return than for a range of public transport, rail freight and active travel schemes awaiting funding across England.

Dr Black’s report emphatically states that the LTC project fails tests on:

• Relieving congestion – the existing Dartford Crossing will be back at its present level of congestion just 5 years after the LTC opens

• Environment – generating 6.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide during construction and operation

• Affordability and value for money – more expensive per kilometre than HS2

• Growth – generates just 0.03% for the UK economy and inhibits local development

• Safety –projected to increase fatalities and serious injuries, designed to unpopular and controversial Smart Motorway standards

• Resilience – traffic will be significantly increased in Thurrock and Gravesham, eliminating resilience on the local road network

• Bus travel – LTC designed to exclude a viable cross-Estuary bus service.
  

TAN Founder and Director Chris Todd said:
“In her speech to last week’s Labour Party Conference, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP declared that the Government is ‘not just cleaning up the mess of the last fourteen years – we are ripping up the very roots of Thatcherism that have undermined and run down our transport system for decades’.

“There is no more tangible manifestation of this than the bloated roads programme inherited from the Conservatives. The LTC is its most grotesque example and a dinosaur even on its own terms. We urge Louise Haigh to heed Colin Black’s warnings, cancel LTC and avoid a costly mistake for UK taxpayers. Investment should instead be focused on public transport and active travel schemes which genuinely support the Government’s five Missions. Diverting some of the savings from cancelling the LTC and other roads could help fix the existing pothole-ridden network. This would fulfil a pledge from Labour’s manifesto and is popular, with 80% of the public supporting this approach.”

TAN Roads and Climate Campaigner Rebecca Lush said:
“We welcome Dr Black’s important contribution to the debate on the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing. No one knows the failings of the LTC as well as he does. Many claims are made about the LTC, yet National Highways’ own evidence shows the scheme is poor value for money and would not deliver the claimed benefits. In only buying five years’ relief at Dartford, the £9bn LTC risks becoming the world’s most expensive sticking plaster. Private finance would only lead to higher tolls at Dartford and the LTC, with taxpayers ultimately paying more.

“Keir Starmer promised that his government would not do the politics of easy answers. Now we need him to demonstrate his resolve and cancel the scheme for something better, despite the huge pressure for its approval.”

Jen Craft MP (Labour, Thurrock) said:
“I am deeply concerned that the proposed Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) will fail to deliver on its goals. Rather than easing congestion on the existing crossing, research suggests that it will simply increase traffic and exacerbate already high pollution levels in Thurrock, which already has very poor air quality.

“In my view, investing billions in road expansion is not the answer. Instead, we should focus on improving other forms of transport by expanding bus services, enhancing rail links including freight to take lorries off the road and delivering on cross river public transport solutions like the proposed KenEx tram service. These options collectively offer cleaner, longer-term solutions to congestion while benefiting local communities.

“Ecological concerns will remain unaddressed by this project and any relief it offers at the Dartford Crossing will be short-lived. We must prioritise sustainable alternatives which would better serve our economy and environment without the detrimental local impact of the LTC and at a fraction of the cost.”

Dr Lauren Sullivan MP (Labour, Gravesham) said:
“I remain opposed to the Lower Thames Crossing, as I have from day one. I have concerns over the environmental impact, noise disturbances and health concerns for those living closest to the tunnel portal and the approach in Gravesend. I also have real concerns about the wider effects on the traffic on the A227, which will see increased traffic through Meopham, Vigo and Istead Rise for people that will cut through to the M20. Without improvements to the Bluebell Hill junction, this will have significant impact on my constituents and businesses in the area.

“The negative impact on the environment and ancient woodland and the wider impact on Gravesham are not yet mitigated. This includes local core asks around skills and training, free or discounted travel for Gravesham residents, increased environmental improvements, infrastructure to support the use of hydrogen fuel, improved leisure infrastructure connected to the new Cascades Leisure Centre, proper supply of housing for LTC construction workers and the impact on two Traveller sites.

“We need to see more focus on public transport solutions, in line with our environmental goals, such as an expanded river crossing service, more affordable bus travel and a fit for purpose train network to encourage less cars on the road.”

– ENDS –

Notes for Editors

1. The Development Consent Order for the LTC is due to be decided on this Friday, 4 October, after a decision was previously delayed due to the general election announcement: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/TR010032
2. Dr Colin Black’s report on the LTC may be viewed in full here.
3. More information on the LTC can be found here.
4. TAN’s earlier submission to the Secretary of State for Transport on cancelling the entire Conservatives’ new roads programme may be viewed here.
5. The article from Forbes on public support for fixing potholes in preference to new roads may be viewed here.
6. 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. It also supports better integration between transport and planning.