New consultation launched for Lower Thames Crossing
15 July 2021Highways England has launched a new public consultation on the impact of its proposed Lower Thames Crossing which will incorporate 22.9km of new road and the UK’s longest road tunnel.
The eight-week community impacts consultation includes changes made to the project since last year's consultation. Highways England withdrew its original planning application in November 2020 following feedback indicating that the Planning Inspectorate was going to reject the proposals. This was due to concerns over the proposed construction and the predicted ecological and environmental impacts of the scheme.
Highways England said the new consultation aimed to “give communities the opportunity to express their views on its proposals to build and operate the Lower Thames Crossing, and how the project would reduce its impact on the local community and environment”.
The public has until 11.59 on 8 September 2021 to provide feedback on the project via a dedicated consultation website.
The Lower Thames Crossing will nearly double road capacity across the River Thames east of London. A key component will be the 4.2km-long road tunnel which will lie 53m below the river surface. The scheme will also incorporate 50 new bridges and viaducts. Other benefits include two new parks, 46km of new and improved public paths, and 260ha of new woodland and community woodland. During construction, the project will support 22,000 jobs.
