PRESS RELEASE

In response to suggestions that Rachel Reeves will announce support for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) in a speech next week, Transport Action Network (TAN) [1] is urging the Chancellor to be wary of backing such a flawed development [2]. The evidence shows it would bring few benefits to the economy, would end up slowing down journeys across the wider south east, while destroying potential growth in international rail freight.

TAN also has a warning to both possible private investors and the government. The scheme has been mis-sold by National Highways on many levels. It fails on all its scheme objectives [3], while costs are out of control. National Highways has been promising to cover the costs of low carbon construction techniques, but private investors will not be so keen on giving contractors a blank cheque [4]. When the costs increase, investors will either lose money, or the government will have to bail them out, or drivers will see higher toll charges for both the LTC and Dartford. Whichever way you look at it, it’s a bad deal for the public.

TAN is also warning that using private finance and tolling doesn’t mean the road would be cost free to the Government. The scheme has had numerous elements stripped out to try and hide its true cost, including additional roads and junction upgrades that would be needed to make the scheme workable [5]. It would still fail in its primary objective of providing long term traffic relief at Dartford.

Chris Todd, Director at Transport Action Network said:

“The Lower Thames Crossing is a white elephant. Whoever thought it a good idea to recommend this to Rachel Reeves as a way of boosting economic growth must need their head testing. It fails on all its scheme objectives and will only bring 5 years of traffic relief at Dartford for 7 years of disruption and misery.”

“Whoever takes this on, whether in the public or private sectors, would be risking their reputation as well as billions of pounds. It’s a bad deal for all concerned, including motorists who would see little benefit at Dartford and slower journeys on the M25 and elsewhere. It would encourage more HGVs onto our roads, making them less safe in the process, while undermining rail freight.”

“If the Chancellor wants to boost, rather than drain, the economy then she should scrap this unaffordable scheme and invest in dedicated public transport and rail freight links instead [6].”

– ENDS –

Notes to editors:

1. 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.
2. See Myths and Facts about the LTC here. (The Development Consent Order for the LTC is due to be decided by 23 May 2025.)
3. 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).
4. TAN submitted evidence to the recent, post Examination consultation on the LTC. See Annex A for concerns about the promises National Highways is making on costs to contractors.
5. The LTC scheme was predicted to cost £9bn in August 2020. Applying inflation for road construction up to September 2024 gives a new total of £11.3bn. That’s not including paying for roads – such as the Tilbury Link Road – that were removed from the scheme or for an expanded Orsett Cock junction that will be needed to cope with demand, and facilitate access for both Tilbury and London Gateway docks. Nor does it include the extra costs that National Highways says it is promising to pay contractors for low carbon construction technology. ONS Construction output price indices – new infrastructure.
6. Projections from the Government’s traffic figures showed that congestion would likely rise even with the construction of all the road schemes in the second Roads Investment Strategy (RIS2).
7. TAN’s submission to the Secretary of State for Transport on cancelling the entire Conservatives’ new roads programme may be viewed here.