The controversial £1.2billion development could ease traffic for commuters on the M25 if it is approved
15:23, 25 Jan 2023
A new tunnel to be built under the River Thames has come a huge step closer and could reduce traffic on the gridlocked M25 at Dartford Tunnel. The Lower Thames Crossing is a proposed new road beneath the River Thames which would also deliver around 10 miles of new road north of the Thames from Thurrock to Junction 29 of the M25 in Havering in a bid to reduce traffic congestion in southern England.
The start of the construction is subject to the project being granted final funding from the government but if it gets the green light it will create a new road between Kent and Essex through the longest road tunnels in the UK, underneath the River Thames. The proposal features 30 upgrades to existing structures and would create new link roads and junctions to connect with the M25, A13 and A1089.
National Highways announced earlier this week (January 23) that Balfour Beatty has been awarded the Roads North of the Thames contract on the proposed Lower Thames Crossing project. Katharina Ferguson, Lower Thames Crossing Procurement Director, said: “Balfour Beatty will bring the best of UK construction to bare on this project. They share our commitment to driving carbon out of construction and maximise the benefits for local communities.”
Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is significant scheme - one that will stimulate local, regional and national economic growth, create employment opportunities and new, sustainable methods of construction for the future of our industry.
“Our deep domain knowledge and long-standing history in complex road construction, acquired through many years of successful delivery on behalf of National Highways, makes us ideally positioned to deliver this project to the highest standard.”
National Highways applied for a Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames Crossing in 2022, and in 2023 the proposals for the new road will be examined by a panel of independent, government appointed experts.
The new Lower Thames Crossing scheme could see a reduction in traffic on the gridlocked M25 at Dartford Tunnel which causes morning rush chaos for many commuters into the capital.
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