The government has committed an additional £590 million towards the Lower Thames Crossing project, which is the largest road-building initiative in Britain and has faced significant controversy and delays. In March, the transport secretary formally approved a new road tunnel under the Thames, connecting Essex and Kent, with the £9.2 billion project encompassing over 14 miles of road, including a 2.6-mile crossing near Thurrock, Essex.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves termed the £590 million as “critical funding” to advance the crossing, emphasizing it would enhance the passage of essential goods from mainland Europe to the regions and mark a significant moment for national infrastructure.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander affirmed that the government is finally moving forward with the crossing, describing it as a “crucial project” that had been stalled in the planning phase for too long. Alexander highlighted its importance for bolstering the resilience of a key freight route, expediting goods transportation from southeastern England to the Midlands and the north.
National Highways, responsible for England’s motorways and main roads, will oversee the construction, potentially commencing as early as 2026, with the main works anticipated to take six to eight years. The project’s latest financial statement indicates it will cost at least £9.2 billion, with £1.2 billion already spent on design and planning. The public-private partnership option being considered would involve £9.4 billion, including £6.3 billion of private investment, contradicting campaigners’ claims about potential toll triples.
The new funding for the crossing is part of a broader £1 billion “structures fund” aimed at repairing bridges, flyovers, and tunnels nationwide, as well as enhancing infrastructure resilience to extreme weather events.
The government is set to unveil a new 10-year infrastructure strategy, following last week’s announcement by Reeves of a £15 billion package for trams, trains, and buses outside London. This forms part of a £113 billion investment in capital projects, including transport, housing, and energy, with a significant portion directed towards areas beyond southeastern England.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/16/uk-government-pledges-further-590m-for-delayed-lower-thames-crossing
