Community update, Summer 2023

Welcome to the latest edition of our community video newsletter, a short film to keep you up to speed on the Lower Thames Crossing.

This edition is presented by Suki, who works in our Planning and Consents team. Suki gives you an update on:

• Your stories about Dartford
• Our planning application
• Our partner to build the new roads in Kent
• Our first sustainability report
• Using hydrogen to replace diesel 
• Hole Farm community woodland 
• Community fund
• New apprentices recruited

You can watch the full film above or click on a chapter below to jump to one of the highlights.

Thanks for watching.

Your stories about Dartford

We understand your frustration at Dartford, with the huge volume of traffic making it one of the most unreliable roads in the UK.

But it’s not just those using it that feel the effects. We recently ran a campaign that allowed local communities surrounding the crossing to share their stories on how much of a problem Dartford is for them, and how much they need the Lower Thames Crossing.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

Hear stories from the local community on how much of a problem Dartford is for them, and how much they need the Lower Thames Crossing

Our planning application

The Lower Thames Crossing planning application has now entered the examination phase.

This is a six-month period when the government’s independent planning authority, the Planning Inspectorate, examines our proposals in detail.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

Our partner to build the new roads in Kent

Skanska has been named the preferred bidder to build the Lower Thames Crossing roads in Kent.

Skanska will deliver the southern part of the route that connects the A2/M2 to the tunnel approach and includes almost four miles of new road, construction of one of Europe’s largest green bridges, a new public park and 12 miles of new or improved pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

Our first sustainability report

As we drive forward our ambition to set the future standard for low-carbon infrastructure, our determination to be the UK’s greenest ever road can be seen throughout our first sustainability report.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

Read more about our sustainability report.

Using hydrogen to replace diesel

As a part of our commitment to significantly reduce our carbon footprint during construction, we've announced that we will be the first major UK infrastructure project to use hydrogen to power its heavy construction machinery.
 

Nusrat Ghani, Minister for Industry and Economic Security, launched our procurement for six million litres of low carbon hydrogen to replace around 20 million litres of diesel across our worksites.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

Hole Farm Community Woodland

Forestry England recently submitted a planning application to develop plans for a new community woodland at Hole Farm in Brentwood, Essex. The application covers the buildings and facilities needed to welcome visitors to the woodland including a visitor shelter, community room and modular cafe.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

Read more about Hole Farm.

Community fund

Another way we want you to make the most of our investment in the road network is through our Community Fund.

Ahead of us starting construction, we're working with Local Authorities local charities, partners and other groups to invest in communities and improve the environment by funding projects across the region.

Back in May we unveiled the 55 successful projects that have been awarded a share of £250,000.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

Read more about how we are investing in communities.

New apprentices recruited

Last month, our delivery partner Balfour Beatty carried out a recruitment campaign looking for local school leavers and adult learners to join the Lower Thames Crossing as business administration apprentices.

We received a fantastic response from the local community and our new apprentices start with us in September.

Click to watch this section of the video newsletter.

For further information contact us at info@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 5000. You can also get the latest updates on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and our YouTube channel.