A south Essex MP has raised his frustrations in the House of Commons over the “lack of action” around the proposed Lower Thames Crossing project.
Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford, has questioned whether the multi-billion pound road scheme will ever be built, says the Basildon, Canvey & Southend Echo.
He raised the issue during Transport Questions in Parliament yesterday (12 February), expressing support for the project but concern over the progress.
Mr Francois said:
“Essex man and woman love their cars, but the A13 and the A127 in south Essex, in the morning and evening peak, are now at 99 per cent capacity – they’re maxed out. The proposed Lower Thames Crossing would help, but Labour are now saying that it will be 90 per cent private funded but they won’t say by whom.
“So, for the fourth time of asking in this Chamber, which companies, banks or other financial institutions will now pay for the Lower Thames Crossing? Because many people in Essex are beginning to believe Labour are never, ever going to build it.”
The planned road crossing of the Thames Estuary is downstream of the Dartford Crossing, and was first proposed in the late 2000s before finally being given the go-ahead last year.
Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for Local Transport, responded by rejecting Mr Francois’ claims and reiterating the Government’s commitment to the project.
Ms Greenwood said: “Well, that’s just not true.
“I can assure him that this Government are determined to provide the road infrastructure that this Government wants.
“That’s why we are providing public funding to start this project and we will say more in the coming weeks and months.”
Mr Francois has repeatedly questioned when the crossing will be built and who will fund the majority of the costs.
Meanwhile, The Lower Thames Crossing Skills Taskforce came together for its second meeting this week to check in on progress and talk through some of the big workforce challenges ahead.
Led by Lord Blunkett, the taskforce launched last year to help develop the green skills needed to meet the project’s ambitious low-carbon targets and support the construction industry’s drive toward net-zero, with a focus on new jobs, skills and business opportunities for the local community. As well as helping the project to tackle local and industry skills shortages, with an estimated 35,000 construction sector vacancies across the country, the taskforce is also helping shape the new generation of skills that are needed to deliver the project and support the move to decarbonise the UK’s construction industry.
This meeting comes at an exciting moment as the project gets ready for construction and the first Skills Hub officially opens.
Natalie Bonnick, Head of Supply Chain Development, Skills, Education & Employment, said:
“Yesterday, we held the second Skills Taskforce, chaired by Lord David Blunkett, bringing together local stakeholders to collectively discuss challenges that the construction industry faces, and see how best the Lower Thames Crossing can deliver a lasting skills legacy. Since the Taskforce last met, we have opened our first Skills Hub in Gravesham, delivered over 1,000 hours of STEM engagement with local schools and colleges, and welcomed a new cohort of apprentices onto the project. As the project gets ready for construction, and the number of job opportunities on the project steadily increasing, now is the time to invest in our local communities.”
(Picture: National Highways)
