The project aims to reduce pressure on the Dartford Crossing has been in the works since 2009 and has had millions of pounds spent on it, but the delay means the government have broken their legal responsibilities
Finn Macdiarmid reports
Finn Macdiarmid reports
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00:00The government have broken their statutory obligation to make a decision on the Lower
00:04Thames crossing this afternoon. It's taken 15 years and £850m spent on planning. However,
00:10it's understood the government recess, caused by a party conference,
00:13meant the project was again delayed from a concrete yes or no.
00:18Well, we've heard today that there's going to be a short delay. I think it's very short and
00:22the decision is imminent. So all of the conversations we've been having in the last
00:27few weeks about how important the new Lower Thames crossing is, both for Dartford to deal
00:33with the congestion and gridlock, but also for the UK and Kent economy to have goods
00:38flowing freely across the Thames and towards Dover. All those arguments are absolutely still
00:44valid and we're looking for a decision very soon from the government.
00:48The tunnel would run between Kent's Gravesend and Essex's Tilbury below the River Thames.
00:53But the project has drawn criticism for the construction of a 14-mile road
00:58directly through a green belt. It was originally proposed in 2009 to help with the pressure put
01:03on the Dartford crossing, with National Highways suggesting a potential 20% reduction in traffic
01:09at the crossing if the Lower Thames project does open.
01:12If the plans are given the green light, construction is likely to begin in 2026,
01:16with the tunnel opening in 2032. Some officials, however, disagree with the plans.
01:22It's no real surprise that it has been delayed, unfortunately.
01:25One of our main concerns is around the loss of ancient woodland,
01:31which is woodland that has existed since the 1600s, making it an irreplaceable habitat as it
01:38takes hundreds of years to establish. Many of the woodlands threatened by the
01:43Lower Thames crossing scheme are also sites of special scientific interest,
01:49such as Shornan Ash and Bankwoods, and these habitats are home to numerous rare wildlife.
01:55Well, with the decision expected any time today, if it does go ahead,
01:58it will have a massive impact on Gravesend,
02:00Dartford and Kent's transport links to Essex and the rest of the country.
02:04Finn McDermid for KMTV