Lower Thames Crossing planning decision delayed until May 2025

The Government has delayed its decision on whether to award development consent for the £9bn Lower Thames Crossing project, fuelling concerns over its future.

The decision was originally expected in June but was put back when the General Election was called. Under a revised programme, incoming Transport secretary Louise Haigh was due to make a decision by 4 October.

Haigh said the deadline was now to be further extended to 23 May 2025 in order to allow “more time for the application to be considered further, including any decisions made as part of the spending review”.

The new road, totalling 23km with twin tunnels under the Thames, would connect to the A2 and M2 in Kent and the A13 and junction 29 of the M25 on the north side of the Thames.

The project has been promoted as crucial for reducing congestion at the Dartford Crossing and supporting the government’s infrastructure and housing growth missions. It is also seen as an important test bed for innovative approaches to low carbon design and construction.

Environmental groups have raised significant opposition, citing various concerns about its ecological and environmental impact. And while the project will alleviate congestion at the Dartford Crossing, in the long-term, critics argue, it will increase overall traffic in the region and further foster car dependency.

A joint venture between Bouygues Travaux Publics and Murphy is earmarked deliver the main 4.2km long tunnel section for the massive Lower Thames Crossing project.

Balfour Beatty has been selected to build the £1.2bn approach roads package north of the Thames while Skanska is set to build the £450m Kent roads section.

The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) expressed disappointment, highlighting the negative impact on supply chain confidence and that delays could undermine broader efforts to unlock infrastructure investments.