Preferred Lower Thames Crossing route announced

The Transport Secretary, Chris Gayling, has revealed the preferred route for a new Lower Thames Crossing that could see the creation of over 6,000 jobs and be worth over £8Bn the economy.

The new crossing will create a link between the A2 and the M25, cutting the heavy congestion currently experienced on the Dartford Crossing.

The planned route will begin from the M25 near North Ockendon, cross the A13 at Orsett before crossing under the Thames east of Tilbury and Gravesend. A new link road will then take traffic to the A2 near Shorne, close to where the route becomes the M2.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: “The new Lower Thames Crossing, and other improvements in and around Dartford and Thurrock announced today, will further strengthen our economy while also creating thousands of jobs.”

The majority of almost 47,000 respondents identified the route as the best solution for reducing traffic and congestion at the Dartford Crossing.

An extra £10M will go towards reducing traffic congestion around the existing crossing, with further studies to be conducted into avoiding what the government describes as “rat-running through Dartford and Thurrock.”

Tim Waggott, Port of Dover Chief Executive, welcomed the decision, saying: “The Lower Thames Crossing is an essential ingredient of the strategic infrastructure mix required to deliver national economic prosperity.

“The port fully supports today’s announcement by the government and warmly welcomes its commitment to keep the nation’s traffic and trade moving.”

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