RHA has reacted with dismay to news that a decision on whether to build the Lower Thames Crossing has gained further delay to at least 23 May 2025. The tunnel between Essex and Kent would be around 14.5 miles long and relieve pressure on the Dartford Crossing.
The Planning Act 2008 requires that a decision on an application for a planning consent order must be made within three months of receiving the examining authority’s report. That report on the Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order was received on 20 March but a decision has now been pushed back twice, as is permitted by the Act.
More time is required for the application to be considered further, including any crossover with a planned spending review, according to a written statement from Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh on 7 October.
RHA Operations Manager – Coach Sector Andy Warrender has criticised the further delay to the Lower Thames Crossing. He notes that coach operators already suffer unpredictable journey times when crossing the Thames at Dartford.
Some coach journeys via Dartford are to channel ports, exacerbating the issue, he adds. “This affects driver changeovers and can mean additional overnight stays. It also means that passengers can miss boarding ferries and spend longer aboard coaches with limited facilities for rest stops.”
In a statement, RHA says that it is “deeply disappointed” by the further delay. It adds that holdups at Dartford already cost the economy £200 million per annum. The Lower Thames Crossing would almost double capacity across the Thames east of London “and would be expected to provide a boost of up to £40 billion to the UK economy,” the Association adds.
RHA Managing Director Richard Smith underlines that investment in the roads network is a priority for the trade body.
The Lower Thames Crossing “is a transformative roads improvement project that could create a more resilient road network and unlock investment opportunities to boost UK business,” continues Mr Smith.
“It would reduce journey times and improve efficiencies for our sectors. Delays to this project undermine these goals and perpetuate the challenges faced by operators of coaches, lorries and vans.”
