Lower Thames Crossing moves forward with DCO application.

Government agency Highways England has submitted a development consent order (DCO) application for the proposed new Lower Thames Crossing.

The £8.2bn project involves the construction of a twin bored tunnel under the River Thames to the east of Tilbury and Gravesend. This is in addition to 14.3 miles of new roads to link it to the M25 and A13, and the M2/A2 (to the south). At a length of 4.3km it will be the longest UK road tunnel and with a diameter of more than 16 metres, the widest tunnel in Europe.

It has been two years since National Highways withdrew its initial development consent order (DCO) application to the Planning Inspectorate for the Lower Thames Crossing.

Consultation

The statutory consultation for the project took place back in 2018, with additional consultations since.  In October 2020 an S46 notice of pre-application was lodged but it was subsequently withdrawn.

Now that the planning application has been submitted, local authorities in the area have 14 days to submit consultation representations to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate will then take a further 14 days before announcing by 28th November whether the latest application is acceptable to proceed to the next stage.

Changes to the scheme in the latest DCO application include a redesign of Tilbury Fields. This is in addition to more open space south of the river by adding land to the east of Chalk Park and a new link road from the Orsett Cock junction to the A1089 southbound. Finially a new bridge over the A127 for walkers, cyclists and horse riders is suggested.

Improvements

It has also introduced measures for modified access to the northern tunnel entrance. This will provide safer operation of the tunnel facilities and better access for the emergency services. New plans also offer additional environmental compensation.

Commenting on the DCO submission, Lower Thames Crossing executive director Matt Palmer said: "We’ve carried out a huge programme of engagement and consultation with our stakeholders and communities to improve the design of the Lower Thames Crossing and reduce our impact on our neighbours and the environment.

“We're grateful to our stakeholders and local communities for taking the time to give us feedback and help us shape our route and how we will build it."

The UK Government has designated the Lower Thames Crossing project as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), which means it is seen as a large, complex infrastructure projects that will benefit the country.

It launched a fresh consultation in July 2021 and a local refinement consultation on the scheme in May this year.

Lower Thames Crossing executive director Matt Palmer said:

“We’ve carried out a huge programme of engagement and consultation with our stakeholders and communities to improve the design of the Lower Thames Crossing and reduce our impact on our neighbours and the environment.

“We're grateful to our stakeholders and local communities for taking the time to give us feedback and help us shape our route and how we will build it.”