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Details have been released by Highways England for the next round of Consultations on the Lower Thames Crossing.
The new round of consultations, showcasing changes made following surveys and feedback received from 29,000 responses in 2018.

The Lower Thames Crossing will provide a new 14.3-mile 70mph road connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex, with the world’s third-widest bored tunnel. It will almost double road capacity across the River Thames east of London, connecting communities, reducing delays and providing more reliable journeys.

Chris Taylor, Director of Highways England’s Complex Infrastructure Programme, said:
“The Lower Thames Crossing is Highways England’s most ambitious project in 30 years, designed to improve journeys across the southeast and open up new connections and opportunities for people and businesses.”

“Getting the views of the local community and businesses is crucial to designing a project that will offer the best value, maximise the benefits for all, while reducing the impact on local communities and the environment. This consultation is a chance for people to review and comment on a number of changes made since our last consultation in 2018, and to help shape this once-in-a-generation project.”

The new eight-week consultation began on 29th January and will end at 23:59 on 25 March.

• 21/02 – Thurrock Civic Centre, Grays – 2pm – 8pm
• 22/02 –  New Windmill Hall, Upminster – 12pm – 6pm 
• 03/03 – East Tilbury Recreation Club, East Tilbury – 2pm – 8pm
• 09/03 – Orsett Hall Hotel, Orsett –  2pm – 8pm
• 17/03 – Brandon Groves Community Club (Ockendon) – 2pm – 8pm 

People can respond in the consultation by visiting one of 20 events in Kent, Essex and Thurrock, by completing an online survey through the Lower Thames Crossing website, sending a form via Freepost, or sending an email. More details can be found on the Lower Thames Crossing web pages.

The updated plans include:

• Extending the southern tunnel entrance (in Gravesend) 350 metres south to move the road away from properties in Chalk and reduce impact on protected bird habitats in the Ramsar Marshes and the Thames Estuary.
• Removing one lane southbound between the M25 and A13 junction to reduce the amount of land required, while still providing sufficient capacity.
• Removing the rest and service area and maintenance depot after further investigation and consideration of the issues raised during statutory consultation, which means the junction at Tilbury is no longer required.

Once the consultation closes in March, Highways England will analyse the new responses ahead of finalising its plans to seek planning consent for the project, through submitting a Development Consent Order (DCO). As part of the application, Highways England will submit a Consultation Report, explaining how the issues raised during both consultations were considered and responded to.