The 15 February edition of the Sunday Times carried an article suggesting the Lower Thames Crossing is set to be built with foreign steel. National Highways has issued a response, in the form of a blog, that dismisses the newspaper’s claims, insisting: “This is not the case”. 

Highways News ran the story yesterday, but the agency has refuted the validity of the article.

“No procurement process for steel is currently under way,” National Highways said.

“Our Delivery Partners have carried out early market engagement simply to understand existing capability ahead of launching procurements later this year. This engagement shows that the UK steel sector can meet between 85% and 90% of the project’s requirements, reflecting both the capability and ambition of British manufacturers.

“The Lower Thames Crossing aims to be the country’s greenest road, with a commitment to be carbon neutral in construction. It is also building a predominantly local, UK-based supply chain, with around 90% to 95% of total spend expected to be in the UK. At least one in every three pounds of the construction budget will go to SMEs, meaning hundreds of millions of pounds will be spent with UK specialists.

“The project represents a major opportunity for skills, jobs and green growth. Almost half (45%) of the workforce will be recruited from within 20 miles of the route. We are also building a local supply chain, with more than 1,000 local firms signed up to our supplier directory. The first project Skills Hub has opened in Gravesham and is already training local people for roles that will feed into upcoming jobs.

“We will continue to work closely with UK manufacturers and with government to ensure British industry is well placed to benefit as procurement gets underway, and to help ensure the sector is equipped to take advantage of the low carbon opportunities ahead.”

(Picture: National Highways)