Home   Gravesend   News   Article

Chancellor Rachel Reeves exploring private finance options for Lower Thames Crossing linking Kent and Essex

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has revealed the government is exploring private investment options to finance the Lower Thames Crossing.

The £9 billion project would see a new road connect Kent and Essex through a tunnel beneath the River Thames.

The government had made an announcement regarding the Lower Thames Crossing. Picture: Highways England
The government had made an announcement regarding the Lower Thames Crossing. Picture: Highways England

The 14.3-mile stretch of road would provide a link off the M2 near Gravesend, under the River Thames, and emerge near Tilbury where it would eventually link up to the M25.

Today (January 29), in a speech on growing the economy, the Chancellor expressed plans to push ahead with the project.

She said: “We will work with the private sector to deliver the infrastructure that our country desperately needs, this includes the Lower Thames Crossing which will improve connectivity at Dover, Felixstowe and Harwich, alleviating severe congestion as goods destined to export come from the North and the Midlands and across the county to markets overseas.

“To drive growth and deliver value for money for taxpayers we are exploring options to privately finance this important project.”

The announcement has been applauded by those working in the freight industry.

Plans for the Lower Thames Crossing on a map
Plans for the Lower Thames Crossing on a map

Natalie Chapman, head of head of public affairs at Logistics UK, said: “We’re delighted to hear the positive sentiment the chancellor has made about this really crucial scheme which is not only important down here in the south east but will actually deliver growth nationally.

“70% of traffic from the port of Dover uses the current crossing and it’s a critical route for UK exports.

“We need to make sure we have got a transport network which is as efficient as possible, which allows drivers to make as much progress as they can within their driving hours.”

Tudor Price, chief executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce which represents firms, big and small across Kent and Medway, said they “couldn't be happier”.

“The fact there is a commitment to move forward with this is all we needed. We recognise there is a need to use private finance but that's not a problem,” he said.

“We already know that there are private investors sniffing around this already and are looking at the model through tolls and revenues already in place at the Dartford Crossing.

“That appeals to them because it comes as part of the investment package for the new Lower Thames Crossing.

“So we’re absolutely confident the investors will be there so as long as the government gives the green light and pushes through the planning and we don't have the whole HS2 debacle - which it doesn't sound like we will - then this is really good news for Kent.”

Nick Fenton is chief executive of the inward investment promotion agency for the county, Locate in Kent, which supports Kent County Council (KCC), Medway Council and the districts with bringing investment and businesses to Kent. He said the comments in the Chancellor’s speech today were “encouraging”.

He said: “This key infrastructure project is not only important for Kent but also for advancing the government’s growth agenda.

Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Kite, said the announcement was “hugely welcome”
Leader of Dartford Borough Council, Cllr Jeremy Kite, said the announcement was “hugely welcome”

“It bodes well that ministers are considering all possible means to deliver a project that will be critical to keeping UK freight passing through the Channel Ports, tackling congestion and supporting increased housing and future economic growth for the region.”

But not everyone is pleased by the push forward, The Lower Thames Crossing project has received criticism from environmental campaigners.

Conservation charity Kent Wildlife Trust said the plans were “short-sighted” and threatened climate and nature.

The trust's chief executive Evan Bowen-Jones said: “The decision to move forward with the Lower Thames Crossing highlights a wider issue. Nature must be recognised as critical infrastructure, not a constraint.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves made an announcement on the Lower Thames Crossing
Chancellor Rachel Reeves made an announcement on the Lower Thames Crossing

“To build true resilience for the future, we need smarter decisions that prioritise restoring and protecting nature as the foundation of a sustainable infrastructure network.”

Meanwhile, Emma Waller, a planning and policy officer with the conservation charity, added that the decision will “destroy irreplaceable habitats, increase carbon emissions, and contribute to long-term environmental degradation”.

Green Cllr Stuart Jeffery, leader of Maidstone council, said: “What people and the environment need is fewer vehicles on our roads, not more.

“Apart from the initial huge destruction of woodland, the Lower Thames Crossing will take in far higher volumes of traffic on Kent’s roads for generations to come.”

He went on to say the Chancellor should be funding a “significant increase in public transport and rail freight”.

Echoing this sentiment, chief executive of The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Roger Mortlock, said the funding should be directed into sustainable public transport instead.

He added: “CPRE Kent has highlighted how the crossing’s environmental and economic impacts on the local area would far outweigh any supposed benefits.”

Also strongly opposed to the Lower Thames Crossing, Dr Lauren Sullivan, MP for Gravesham, listed a number of concerns she felt had not been addressed.

Dr Lauren Sullivan (Lab)MP for Gravesham continues to oppose the project
Dr Lauren Sullivan (Lab)MP for Gravesham continues to oppose the project

She shared concerns that private financing of the project “could result in high tolls” for crossing users.

She said: “The proposed Lower Thames Crossing, as it stands, fails to deliver for Gravesham.

“It does not address local needs, lacks the necessary investment in community welfare to mitigate the effect on residents who will endure not only the long construction inconvenience but the long-term effects, and threatens to exacerbate existing issues such as those experienced on the A2 most mornings, rather than resolve them.”

Dartford council’s Conservative leader, Cllr Jeremy Kite, said the announcement was a “major step forward in our town’s long and hard-fought campaign to get the crossing built”.

He said: “Dartford residents know better than anyone that failure to get on and build the Lower Thames Crossing would continue to have a huge negative impact on local people and businesses.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s chief executive, Evan Bowen-Jones criticised the plans
Kent Wildlife Trust’s chief executive, Evan Bowen-Jones criticised the plans

“It was a disappointment when a decision to grant the development consent order was halted by the General Election last July and a concern when the decision was further postponed last October but today’s announcement is hugely welcome.”

Cllr John Burden, leader of Gravesham council, said: “It makes sense that the government is looking into private finance for the crossing and this was not an unexpected announcement.

“We are, of course, still awaiting a decision on the planning side as to whether the Development Consent Order will be approved, so this isn’t quite the green light for the project to proceed.

“While waiting, we are having broadly positive conversations with all relevant parties to ensure that if the crossing goes ahead, we get the best possible outcomes for the community here in Gravesham to offset the undoubted challenges such a large infrastructure project will pose for the borough.”

Labour MP for Dartford, Jim Dickson, said in a post on X, the government’s announcement was a “big moment” for residents in his constituency.

He wrote: “After years of waiting there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel and we now have confirmation the Lower Thames Crossing will be built”.

The statement said the project will put an end to “daily misery” for residents who want to go about their lives without getting stuck in traffic.

But, why is the decision taking so long? Here’s everything we know about the £9bn crossing.

Labour MP for Dartford, Jim Dickson, said he was pleased with the announcement
Labour MP for Dartford, Jim Dickson, said he was pleased with the announcement

Yesterday, Conservative MP for Sevenoaks and Swanley, Laura Trott, presented a petition to build the Lower Thames Crossing to Parliament which included more than 1,300 signatures.

In a post on Facebook, she wrote: “It is a clear how important the Lower Thames Crossing is to our community, which suffers with delays or gridlock caused by the Dartford Crossing on an almost daily basis. This can’t continue and we need action now.”

She added: “By working together, we will ensure this vital project gets delivered as soon as possible.”

In a further statement after the Chancellor’s announcement, she said the government’s plan to work with the private selector was “excellent and welcome news”.

She added: “I am so pleased that they have listened to the thousands of residents who signed my petition calling for the crossing to be built.”

This was echoed by Labour MP for Rochester and Strood, Lauren Edwards, who said she welcomed the announcement from the Chancellor.

She said: “This is a decision that is many years overdue and will help to both relieve congestion in the area and remove one of the key barriers to growth in our region.”

MP Laura Trott presented a petition to build the Lower Thames Crossing to Parliament yesterday (January 28)
MP Laura Trott presented a petition to build the Lower Thames Crossing to Parliament yesterday (January 28)

Another Medway Labour MP, Tristan Osborne, also welcomed the announcement and described the decision as “many years overdue”.

“This is fantastic news for Chatham, Aylesford, and the wider area,” he said. “Nearly 200 businesses in Medway are already registered in the supply chain for this project, presenting a huge opportunity for skilled jobs, local investment, and increased tourism.”

A decision on whether the government was to give the plans the go-ahead was expected from Transport Minister Louise Haigh back in October but has now been pushed back until May.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More