The Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK says the Transport Secretary’s decision to delay the decision on the Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames Crossing “runs counter to what the new government has said about getting Britain building again”.
Logistics UK Chief Executive David Wells OBE called Louise Haigh’s decision “deeply concerning”, adding: “Industry is united in its opinion that the Lower Thames Crossing needs to be built so the decision to delay the DCO will be met with bitter disappointment and frustration by businesses up and down the country. The new crossing can pay for itself many times over, driving growth by generating billions for the UK economy and creating thousands of high-quality jobs, and should not be delayed further.
“While geographically in Kent and Essex, the proposed crossing is nationally significant and is vital for improving connections between the North, the Midlands and the Channel ports, where the Short Straits crossings between England and France handle over half of all goods traded between Great Britain and mainland Europe.
“The scheme has already been stuck in the planning stages for over a decade and this further delay will see businesses and consumers continuing to shoulder the financial burden that congestion at the Dartford Crossing costs the UK economy every year in lost productivity.
“The Dartford Crossing is currently the only Thames crossing east of London and delaying the decision will prolong the daily congestion which makes it one of the most unreliable routes in the UK. Two thirds of journeys travelling north at the Dartford Crossing take twice as long as they should, and the delays cost the UK economy more than £200 million every year in lost productivity.
“40% of journeys across the Dartford Crossing are freight vehicles carrying vital goods throughout the country and the government needs to grant the DCO as soon as possible to unlock UK logistics, drive growth and help keep supply chains moving across the whole country.”
Meanwhile Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association added: “We’re disappointed that the Lower Thames Crossing hasn’t yet been given the green light.
“This is a transformative roads improvement project that could create a more resilient road network and unlock investment opportunities to boost UK business; it would reduce journey times and improve efficiencies for our sectors.
“Delays to this project undermines these goals and perpetuate the challenges faced by operators of lorries, coaches and vans.
“We urge the Government to give consent to this much-needed new route that would create jobs and prosperity and drive economic growth.”
However anti-crossing campaigners the Thames Crossing Action Group voiced their disappointment for different reasons, with spokesman Matt Jackson saying: “Thames Crossing Action Group are disappointed with the further delay to a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing. This leaves residents blighted, with anxiety paying a huge toll on our health and wellbeing. It is about time the government made the Lower Thames Crossing extinct as the dinosaur project it is. Paying £10bn for just five years relief at Dartford is not good enough. Putting freight on rail is a sustainable long term solution we should be looking at, not more road building. This would be greener, faster, and cheaper. We will use this time to continue making all the compelling arguments against this £10bn+ mistake.”
Louise Haigh announced on Monday that the decision would be made by next May.
(Picture – National Highways)
