General election delays planning decision on Lower Thames Crossing

The £9bn Lower Thames Crossing is the highest profile transport project to be delayed by up to six months because of the general election.

The Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed the decision on the project’s Development Consent Order has been pushed back from June to 4 October. Other affected schemes include are Luton airport expansion and Associated British Ports’ planned Immingham Eastern Ro-Ro Terminal.

The A122 Lower Thames Crossing would connect to the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 in Thurrock and junction 29 of the M25 in the London Borough of Havering.

It would be approximately 14.3 miles long, with 2.6 miles in twin tunnels under the Thames – making them the longest road tunnels in the UK. The tunnels would be located to the east of the village of Chalk on the south side of the Thames, and to the west of East Tilbury on the north side.

In a statement Transport Secretary Mark Harper attributed the delay to the general election and “to allow appropriate time for any new Secretary of State to consider the application”, adding “the Department will endeavour to issue the decision ahead of the new deadline”.

Proposals for the new road were accepted by the Planning Inspectorate in November 2022.

The government has already delayed its planned 2024 start by two years to cope with inflationary pressures.