Lower Thames Crossing development consent decision announced

Locate in Kent has welcomed the decision by the Secretary of State for Transport to grant development consent for the Lower Thames Crossing.

Nick Fenton, CEO Locate in Kent, said: “We welcome the decision by the Secretary of State for Transport to give the go-ahead for the Lower Thames Crossing, a vital decision towards ensuring Kent and Medway, the UK’s gateway to Europe, has the capacity to keep traffic and freight moving.

“The Lower Thames Crossing will almost double road capacity across the Thames east of London – easing chronic congestion on the Dartford Crossing, improving journey times for businesses across the southeast, keeping freight passing through the Channel Ports and providing a huge economic boost to the UK.  It will also deliver thousands of jobs during the construction phase, and beyond.

“This nationally important strategic route is vital for this country’s logistics network. Kent and Medway has a major role to play in supporting UK trade and investment and it was imperative that the project goes ahead.

“This new route is urgently needed, not least in supporting the government’s house building and growth agenda for the UK economy. Not going ahead would have sent an unwelcome signal to business and investors, that we’re not a country that invests for the long-term.

“Today’s decision to grant planning approval for the Lower Thames Crossing should also be a time for policy makers at all levels to reflects on what needs to be done to remove obstacles to delivering the infrastructure needed as a nation to deliver future growth.

“That includes pressing ahead with planning reform and further incentives that will attract investment to pay for further improvements, from widening the M2 to restoring international rail services to the county.”

You can read the government press release announcing the decision here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lower-thames-crossing-development-consent-decision-announced