Lower Thames Crossing bid accepted for government inspection

National Highways scheme crosses DCO hurdle

Renewed plans for the hugely damaging Lower Thames Crossing have crossed their first hurdle with the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to accept the National Highways scheme for examination.

CPRE Kent has campaigned hard against the proposal and the decision to accept the Decision Consent Order comes as a blow. Director Hilary Newport said: “We are disappointed it has progressed this far – surely we should have learnt by now that building more and more roads simply increases congestion.

“Further, the myth that the Lower Thames Crossing is about easing congestion has been laid to rest anyway. It is in fact about urban growth in the Thames estuary, which will of course add yet further to congestion.

“It will not benefit Dartford or anywhere else in north Kent one jot.”

This revised bid comes after National Highways withdrew its original application in November last year.

• To read more on CPRE Kent’s views on the Lower Thames Crossing, see here

Thursday, December 1, 2022