Quicker, safer and more reliable journeys
The Lower Thames Crossing would:
The Dartford Crossing
Tackle congestion by taking over 13 million vehicles away every year from Dartford and free up almost a full lane of traffic
The Lower Thames Crossing
Almost double road capacity across the Thames East of London with three new lanes in each direction
The Dartford Crossing
Improve journey times – 30% better at Dartford and 46% better between Tilbury and Medway
Lorry on road
Create a more resilient road network on heavily used parts of the A2, A13 and M25, reducing traffic spilling onto local roads
Car lights
Provide a vital new route for freight, connecting South-East ports with manufacturing centres and distribution hubs
The Lower Thames Crossing
Be a free-flowing alternative for large goods vehicles with no escorts or stopping of traffic needed
Driving economic growth
Congestion at Dartford costs the UK economy millions of pounds every year, and the lack of a reliable connection acts as a handbrake on growth.
A reliable new connection will add billions to the UK economy by making journeys quicker, safer and more reliable.
The Lower Thames Crossing will:
Jobs
Offer an additional 400,000 jobs within an hour’s commute of local communities
Customers
Help businesses reach new markets, customers and suppliers
The Lower Thames Crossing
Help vital goods reach every corner of the UK efficiently
School
Provide more opportunity for where to live, work and go to school
Shopping
Give more choice on where to shop and spend free time
Jobs, skills and education
Building a new major piece of the road network creates a huge opportunity for the local community through new jobs, skills and education.
The Lower Thames Crossing would:
Provide work for thousands of people
Provide work for thousands of people and businesses during construction
Recruit almost half of the project workforce locally
Recruit almost half of the project workforce locally
Provide hundreds of new early career opportunities
Provide hundreds of opportunities - apprenticeships, graduate and work placements
Assemble the next generation of talented professionals
Inspire the next generation of talented professionals through early support and engagement with local students
Create a skilled green workforce
Create a skilled green workforce that can deliver the UK’s greenest road and help the country make its way to net zero
A supply chain with local businesses
Build a supply chain with local businesses and SMEs at its core
Bnefit businesses across the country with new work
Benefit businesses across the country
Bigger, better and more connected habitats
The Lower Thames Crossing will create bigger, better and more connected habitats for wildlife and the local community.
Our ambitious plans will leave a green legacy including:
Hole Farm
A new community woodland and two public parks overlooking the Thames
One million trees
Over one million additional trees
Almost 40 miles of new or improved pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders
Almost 40 miles of new or improved pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders
Seven new green bridges
Seven new green bridges to let people and wildlife move easily and safely between new and existing habitats and green spaces
Over 12 miles of additional species-rich hedgerows
Over 12 miles of additional species-rich hedgerows to help wildlife move across the landscape
Create 50 new wildlife ponds and over 13 miles of new watercourse
50 new wildlife ponds and over 13 miles of new watercourse
We’re a Pathfinder project
We're exploring low carbon construction, helping to reduce our carbon footprint and leading the construction industry’s journey to net zero
Find out moreInvesting in communities
The Lower Thames Crossing is committed to leaving a lasting positive legacy for local communities and the environment. Even now, well ahead of starting work, we're working with organisations such as charities, community groups and parish councils to fund projects across the region, and if we get the green light, an additional £1.9 million funding will be available during construction
Recent projects include:
Dagnam Park - Heritage restoration works and interpretation at, in partnership with London Borough of Havering
Dagnam Park - Heritage restoration works and interpretation in partnership with London Borough of Havering
Springfield playgroup - Funding for a climbing wall
Springfield playgroup - Funding for a climbing wall
The Thurrock LGBTQ+ Community Network - Monthly LGBTQ+ social events funded in partnership with Thameside Theatre
The Thurrock LGBTQ+ Community Network - Monthly LGBTQ+ social events funded in partnership with Thameside Theatre
The Cyclopark Trust - A new cycling skills zone for children and young people, with provision for people with disabilities
The Cyclopark Trust - A new cycling skills zone for children and young people, with provision for people with disabilities
East Tilbury Defib project - Maintenance of defibrillators for the community
East Tilbury Defib project - Maintenance of defibrillators for the community
Hearing Help Essex - Supporting local people in Thurrock
