“We are extremely disappointed by the announcement on 7 October that a decision on the development consent order for the Lower Thames Crossing has been postponed until at least May 2025.
“Our members (around 700 of them, including many of national and international profile) have been overwhelmingly supportive of the need for the Lower Thames Crossing to be built. Many have seen their businesses and economic growth constrained for many years by the congestion, delays and disruption caused by reliance on the existing crossing at Dartford.
“The new crossing would significantly reduce these problems and help to open up the economy of the South East and the UK more widely. It is an investment we cannot afford not to make!
“It has taken around 15 years and £850m to get to this point and a further delay will only add to the current costs on business and the costs of construction of the crossing as and when it goes ahead.
“We hope that the pause on a decision is really to examine costs and financing and not an indication that the crossing will be even further delayed or even abandoned; that would be a terribly short-sighted outcome.
“We need the crossing to instil confidence, drive investment and bring significant benefits in employment and skills. We are also clear that this would be a major national asset, located in the South East but benefitting the whole of the UK.”
Read Parliament’s Written Statement on the decision here.
If you would like to discuss this matter further, please contact our Head of Policy, Iain McNab.
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