A decision on whether to go ahead with building the Lower Thames Crossing east of the Dartford Tunnel and QE2 Bridge will not be made until next May.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh says the delay is “in order to allow more time for the application to be considered further, including any decisions made as part of the spending review”.

Her full written statement reads:

“This statement confirms that it is necessary to extend the deadline for a decision on the application by National Highways under the Planning Act 2008, for the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order.

“Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, a decision on an application must be made within 3 months of receipt of the Examining Authority’s report, unless the power, under section 107(3), is exercised to extend the deadline, and a Written Ministerial Statement is made to Parliament announcing the new deadline.

“The Examining Authority’s report on the Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order was received on 20 March 2024. The current deadline for a decision is 4 October 2024, having been extended from 20 June 2024 by way of a Written Ministerial Statement, dated 24 May 2024.

“The deadline for the decision is to be further extended to 23 May 2025 in order to allow more time for the application to be considered further, including any decisions made as part of the spending review.

“The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant the application development consent.”

When the deadline was set for 4 October, it was stated the Department for Transport would endeavour to issue a decision ahead of the deadline if possible.

(Picture – National Highways)