The A2/M2 corridor (Image: National Highways)
‘ backing of the Lower Thames Crossing between Essex and Kent has sparked hopes of a turning point in the Government’s support of UK industry.
The Chancellor described on Wednesday the between the port town of Tilbury in Essex and Medway in Kent under the River Thames as an “important project”. She also pledged to explore private financing options before the Transport Secretary makes a decision on its future in May.
As well as connecting the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex, the tunnel would provide vital transport links between London and crossings to Dover, which account for half of the goods traded between Britain and mainland Europe.
The acceleration of the project, which has sat on the metaphorical backburner since 2009, could redirect 13 million vehicles, the equivalent of a full lane of traffic, away from the heavily congested , currently the only road crossing east of London.
Logistics UK, one of the UK’s biggest business groups, is among the industry heavyweights praising the ‘s endorsement of the scheme.
The group, which represents over 18,000 firms in the road, rail, sea and air industries as well as firms using freight services, estimates that the costs of lost productivity from congestion on the Dartford Crossing exceed £200million each year. The route is disproportionately used by freight vehicles transporting goods, making up 40% of total journeys.
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“Our biggest current challenge is that the Dartford Crossing, as it stands, is operating daily over its design capacity,” Natalie Chapman, Head of Public Affairs at the firm told Express.co.uk.
“At the moment, there’s very little alternative when things go wrong, as they regularly do. The only alternative route for lorries is around the M25 via Heathrow, which can add up to two hours to journey times.”
Ms Chapman described the Chancellor’s support of the project as a vote of confidence in British business – in welcome contrast to the Treasury’s unpopular rise in paid by employers, which comes into effect in April.
“The channel ports are a key route for UK exports,” she said. “Produce like Scottish fresh fish are time-sensitive and perishable, so it’s crucial that the businesses we represent can move them quickly. We factor transport costs into everything we buy and all consumers will pay for these prices on the shellfish.”
While the future of the project still hinges on Heidi Alexander’s approval of a development consent order by the deadline of May 23, Logistics UK has described Wednesday’s speech as a “promising sign” of the Government’s willingness to direct private investment towards transport infrastructure, and get behind UK businesses as a result.
The proposed route of the crossing (Image: PA)
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The Lower Thames Crossing would also have a direct impact on motorists, with journey times at Dartford Crossing expected to improve by around 30%, growing to 46% between Kent and Essex.
Logistics UK also estimates that it would inject around £40bn into the UK economy, as well as “improving efficiency and productivity and keeping inflation down”.
“As soon as this road opens, people will start to feel the benefits,” Ms Chapman said. “In the short term, it will create jobs in construction and supply and it has the potential to unlock growth and inward investment on both sides of the crossing.”
“A do nothing approach here would only mean more and more closures of the Dartford Tunnel for maintenance,” she added. “The Lower Thames Crossing will be built to the latest design standard and its 15 years on the drawing board mean its design has been refined and that no stone has been left unturned to make it the best project it possibly can be.”
Road Haulage Association managing director Richard Smith also praised the project, declaring Ms Reeves’ endorsement as “a major victory for our sector”, which has the potential to “turbocharge the economy”.
“After many years of delays … today’s announcement will be a welcome relief to operators of lorries, coaches and vans who must navigate the daily knock-on economic impact of persistent delays,” he added.
The new tunnel would connect towns in Kent and Essex (Image: National Highways)
However, Reform UK MP for the Essex region James McMurdock that he didn’t believe the plans would solve local gridlock issues, warning that its benefits would be “far more limited than people hope” and suggesting that it wouldn’t take into consideration public transport or address “capacity issues”.
Ms Reeves also announced Government support for an expansion of on Wednesday.
“If nationally important projects like the Lower Thames Crossing and a third runway at Heathrow become a reality, we can deliver goods more efficiently across the country, benefitting everyone nationwide,” David Wells OBE, Chief Executive of Logistics UK said.
“Today’s announcement represents an intention which will be welcomed by our member businesses, but the proof of the pudding will be in the speed at which planning decisions are taken and projects delivered, which will be critical to the success of the Chancellor’s plan,” he added.