“Like putting green lipstick on a pig”
Campaigners from Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] have ridiculed National Highways’ attempt to brand Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) as the “greenest road ever” [2], describing this as “putting green lipstick on a pig” and a rehash of previous announcements. Costing over £10 billion, the project would be the biggest new road in a generation, requiring huge quantities of concrete as well as unleashing a huge wave of traffic in the middle of a climate emergency.
National Highways has published a higher target to cut carbon emissions from construction [3] which it had previously announced late last year [4]. TAN believes this is a distraction from its ongoing failures to meet existing commitments, including using hydrogen for heavy machinery, which some experts believe will not be viable [5].
In any event, the emissions from traffic generated by the new road would be many times greater than the potential savings from slightly less polluting construction.
Many of the things that National Highways are claiming as groundbreaking have already been done elsewhere [6]. In contrast the Lower Thames Crossing would be contributing to accelerating climate change by increasing traffic and carbon emissions.
Chris Todd, TAN’s Director, said:
“National Highways is making ever more desperate attempts to keep this doomed scheme afloat. The Chancellor’s admission she cannot pay for the Lower Thames Crossing and that the private sector needs to step in clearly has it rattled.
“With the government committed to cut emissions by 81% by 2035 and weather extremes increasing, we can find greener ways to build for urgently needed public transport and flood protection schemes. By contrast, trying to green a hugely damaging road scheme is like putting green lipstick on a pig. Not a pretty sight.
“Everyone will end up paying the price if the Lower Thames Crossing goes ahead with private finance. It will cause 7 years of delays while it is built, for only 5 years relief at Dartford, with tolls increasing at both crossings to pay back investors. It is not fit for purpose and no amount of greenwashing will make it so.”
TAN has already produced an independent expert report [7] into the Lower Thames Crossing by leading consultant, Dr Colin Black, which outlines many of the failings of the LTC. Further concerns were raised in TAN’s recent consultation response to the Secretary of State [8].
TAN is working with industry experts to come up with more affordable and better low carbon solutions than the LTC. These would be better at delivering economic growth and for relieving pressure at Dartford.
– ENDS –
Notes for Editors
[1] 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.
[2] National Highways’ press release, 4 February, 2025
[3] Claimed latest construction emissions are 840,000 tonnes CO2e, while user emissions are 4,833,762 tonnes CO2e (see Environmental Statement – Climate Chapter 15,Table 15.16, National Highways, October 2022), which equals 5,673,762 tonnes CO2e.
Whilst National Highways is claiming to reduce construction emissions, it has failed to acknowledge that total scheme emissions will still be nearly 6 million tonnes CO2. Most of these arise from the user emissions from all the extra traffic that the scheme will unleash across the South East and which National Highways is doing nothing to curtail.
[4] National Highways’ response to post-examination consultation by Secretary of State for Transport, November 2024
[5] See article in New Civil Engineer (29 July 2024) highlighting issues National Highways is having securing hydrogen fuelled heavy machinery.
[6] See this HS2 report from 2019
[7] TAN commissioned an independent expert report into the Lower Thames Crossing by leading consultant, Dr Colin Black, which outlines many of the 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
[8] TAN’s response to the Secretary of State’s consultation letter dated 28 November, 2024 which also highlighted the poor standards being applied to active travel infrastructure and National Highways’ complete indifference towards bus services.
[9] 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. Labour-run Thurrock and Gravesham Councils also oppose the scheme.
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