The Lower Thames Crossing project has received the long-awaited government approval, setting a pivotal milestone in the planning of a major road tunnel that promises to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in the region while enhancing connectivity between Kent and Essex. Initially proposed 14 years ago, the project comes with a hefty price tag of approximately £9 billion and aims to unlock significant economic benefits for local communities.
On March 25, 2025, the project was officially approved, following rigorous scrutiny resulting in more than 359,000 pages of documentation. The ambitious development is set to create a 14.5-mile road, which will connect Gravesend in Kent to Tilbury in Essex via two tunnels beneath the River Thames, each measuring 2.6 miles long.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the approval and emphasized its importance for transport infrastructure in the area. She said, "Giving the Lower Thames Crossing the green light will drive growth and make journeys quicker, safer, and more reliable. That is my Plan for Change in action," reflecting the government’s commitment to enhancing road networks across the country.
This critical approval has already been heralded as a "big win" for Dartford, as Labour MP Jim Dickson praised the decision. "This is a big day for Dartford and a big win for residents. It means the Lower Thames Crossing has been given final planning approval by the government," he stated. Dickson also voiced his constituents' frustrations over longstanding traffic issues, describing past governmental hesitance as a source of prolonged “endless gridlock.”
However, the project has not been without its critics. Chris Todd, director of the campaign group Transport Action Network, characterized the approval as “absolute madness,” arguing that the staggering cost—now projected to be about £16 billion—would divert much-needed funds from other critical sectors like health and public transport. Todd remarked, "It's a desperate decision to distract from the likely bad news in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement tomorrow. Rather than boosting growth, this will clog up roads in the southeast and slow the economy down even more.”
Despite opposition, businesses are optimistic about the Lower Thames Crossing. Nick Fenton, chief executive of the investment promotion agency Locate in Kent, called the approval a "vital decision" to maintain traffic flow in the southeastern region of the UK, which serves as a fundamental gateway to Europe for trade and travel. "The Lower Thames Crossing will double road capacity across the Thames east of London – easing chronic congestion and improving journey times for businesses," he argued. Fenton emphasized that not proceeding with the project would send a discouraging message to businesses and investors about the UK’s commitment to future infrastructure investments.
Throughout this entire planning process, taxpayers have seen approximately £1.2 billion spent not on construction but on planning, environmental assessments, and legal fees, raising questions about fiscal responsibility in the government’s approach to infrastructure projects. The Financial Times recently highlighted the significant financial resources already sunk into this venture without a single shovel hitting the ground.
The anticipated cost of the Lower Thames Crossing has almost doubled since its inception, initially estimated between £5.3 billion and £6.8 billion in 2017. Current projections now estimate the total cost to fall between £9.2 billion and £10.2 billion depending on further financial arrangements, which include exploring private financing methods as part of the project’s funding strategy.
Looking ahead, construction is slated to begin in 2026, with the project expected to begin operations by the early 2030s. As construction plans progress, National Highways will work closely with local authorities and stakeholders to minimize the impact on communities and to fulfill goals concerning sustainability, including a target to reduce construction carbon emissions by 70%.
Matt Palmer, National Highways executive director for the project, dubbed the Lower Thames Crossing as "one of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects." He noted, "It will unlock growth with quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys, and redraw the blueprint for building major projects in a net zero future by scaling up the use of low-carbon construction and leaving a legacy of green spaces and skills.”
As planning culminates in this significant approval, the mixed responses reveal the complexity surrounding such large-scale infrastructure projects. While many local residents eagerly anticipate the end of their daily traffic struggles, concerns remain regarding funding, fiscal responsibility, and environmental implications. The government’s bold step forward may indeed steer economic growth, but how it addresses the legitimate criticisms will be closely scrutinized in the years to come.
