Chancellor flags commitment to delivering LTC and EWR

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, in her much anticipated speech on plans for the UK’s economic growth, has set out the government’s commitment to delivering both the Lower Thames Crossing and the eastern section of the East West Rail project.

Speaking at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire she said, “We will work with a private sector to deliver the infrastructure that our country desperately needs. This includes the Lower Thames Crossing which will improve connectivity at Dover, Felixstowe and Harwich, alleviating severe congestion as goods destined to export come from the North, and the Midlands and across the country to markets overseas. To drive and deliver value for money for taxpayers we are exploring options to privately finance this important project.”

Matt Palmer, Executive Director of the Lower Thames Crossing, said, “The Chancellor’s statement set out the government’s commitment to delivering the Lower Thames Crossing, one of the UK’s most important and vital growth projects. We are ready to start work, with our planning application due to be decided this May, in the meantime our focus remains on developing the UK’s greenest road to drive out carbon, restore nature and improve the benefits for the local community.”

The project, which would link Gravesend in Kent and Tilbury in Essex via a tunnel beneath the river, will relieve congestion at the Dartford Crossing. Around 20% of the 22.5km route linking the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and the M25 in Thurrock is in tunnel. The Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order is due to be determined by 23rd May.

And in the same speech the Chancellor also confirmed her “unequivocal support” for the full realisation of East West Rail which will run from Oxford to Cambridge through Milton Keynes.

East West Rail is seen as essential to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that could boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035.

Reeves also confirmed the appointment of Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor during Covid, as the new Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion.

In response, Cllr Liz Leffman, Chair of the region’s Sub National Transport Body, England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) said, “The Chancellor rightly highlights the huge potential of our region to significantly contribute to UK economic growth. Through regional collaboration, including via EEH, local leaders are already working closely with businesses and universities to seize these opportunities.

"I welcome Lord Patrick Vallance to his new role and look forward to working with him. Moving forwards, it is important that lessons from the past are learnt. There must be genuine and trusted collaboration between Government, local leaders and the private sector which builds on the strengths of existing partnerships. It is important that the work already carried out by EEH and other local and regional partners informs future decisions: we must keep momentum, not go back to the drawing board.

“As the Chancellor stated, East West Rail will transform the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge region. The benefits from Government’s investment must be maximised for the economy, skills, communities, nature and wider connectivity. EEH is working to make sure there is a single, integrated transport system – ensuring as many people and businesses as possible can access East West Rail. By integrating an East West Main Line into the wider transport system, the impact of investment will be felt beyond the core route: including in places such as Aylesbury, Northamptonshire, Luton, Swindon, Bristol, West Midlands, Hertfordshire, Ipswich and Norwich.

“Supporting our freight and logistics sector is the building block of economic growth. Upgrading Ely Junction in Cambridgeshire will transform the way goods are transported between Port of Felixstowe and the Midlands and North. Targeted improvements which ensure our strategic roads can continue to support economic growth are also vital. EEH has previously worked with Department for Transport and National Highways on a major study which identifies priority interventions, and it is imperative that these are progressed.

“The launch of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor is an important moment for our region. By working in a spirit of genuine collaboration across the public and private sector we can collectively deliver the exciting opportunities outlined by the Chancellor.”