Quicker, safer and more reliable journeys
The Lower Thames Crossing would:
Tackle congestion by taking over 13 million vehicles away every year from Dartford and free up almost a full lane of traffic
Almost double road capacity across the Thames East of London with three new lanes in each direction
Improve journey times – 30% better at Dartford and 46% better between Tilbury and Medway
Create a more resilient road network on heavily used parts of the A2, A13 and M25, reducing traffic spilling onto local roads
Provide a vital new route for freight, connecting South-East ports with manufacturing centres and distribution hubs
Be a free-flowing alternative for large goods vehicles with no escorts or stopping of traffic needed
Driving economic growth
Congestion at Dartford costs the UK economy millions of pounds every year, and the lack of a reliable connection acts as a handbrake on growth.
A reliable new connection will add up to £40 billion to the UK economy by making journeys quicker, safer and more reliable.
The Lower Thames Crossing will:
Offer an additional 400,000 jobs within an hour’s commute of local communities
Help businesses reach new markets, customers and suppliers
Help vital goods reach every corner of the UK efficiently
Provide more opportunity for where to live, work and go to school
Give more choice on where to shop and spend free time
Road to growth
Read our brochure about tackling congestion with a reliable connection that will link the north and midlands with south-east ports and provides a £40 billion boost to the UK economy
Click to view and downloadJobs, skills and education
Building a new major piece of the road network creates a huge opportunity for the local community through new jobs, skills and education.
The Lower Thames Crossing would:
Provide work for thousands of people and businesses during construction
Recruit almost half of the project workforce locally
Provide hundreds of opportunities - apprenticeships, graduate and work placements
We’re a Pathfinder project
We're exploring low carbon construction, helping to reduce our carbon footprint and leading the construction industry’s journey to net zero
Find out moreInspire the next generation of talented professionals through early support and engagement with local students
Create a skilled green workforce that can deliver the UK’s greenest road and help the country make its way to net zero
Build a supply chain with local businesses and SMEs at its core
Benefit businesses across the country
Bigger, better and more connected habitats
The Lower Thames Crossing will create bigger, better and more connected habitats for wildlife and the local community.
Our ambitious plans will leave a green legacy including:
A new community woodland and two public parks overlooking the Thames
Over one million additional trees
Almost 40 miles of new or improved pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders
Seven new green bridges to let people and wildlife move easily and safely between new and existing habitats and green spaces
Over 12 miles of additional species-rich hedgerows to help wildlife move across the landscape
50 new wildlife ponds and over 13 miles of new watercourse
Investing in communities
The Lower Thames Crossing is committed to leaving a lasting positive legacy for local communities and the environment. Even now, well ahead of starting work, we're working with organisations such as charities, community groups and parish councils to fund projects across the region, and if we get the green light, an additional £1.9 million funding will be available during construction
Recent projects include:
Dagnam Park - Heritage restoration works and interpretation in partnership with London Borough of Havering
Springfield playgroup - Funding for a climbing wall
The Thurrock LGBTQ+ Community Network - Monthly LGBTQ+ social events funded in partnership with Thameside Theatre
The Cyclopark Trust - A new cycling skills zone for children and young people, with provision for people with disabilities
East Tilbury Defib project - Maintenance of defibrillators for the community
Hearing Help Essex - Supporting local people in Thurrock by providing information, advice and guidance services
We’ve supported over 50 projects so far. Find out more and watch case studies below.
