About the Lower Thames Crossing

Find out more about who we are, our partners and our timeline.

About the Lower Thames Crossing

The project is managed by National Highways, the government company which plans, designs, builds, operates and maintains England’s motorways and major A-roads, known as the strategic road network (SRN).

The Lower Thames Crossing is our most ambitious scheme in 35 years.

So we are building a world class team to deliver it in a way that brings the most benefit to road users and the local communities; as soon as possible and with the greatest value to the tax-payer.

We are building on our own track record of delivering major new infrastructure and want to build the crossing on time and on budget by bringing in experienced and innovative partners from across the industry.

Our partners

Commercial partner

Turner & Townsend Limited has been awarded the Commercial Partner contract to provide day-to-day commercial and contract management, independent cost assurance and cost audit function across the Lower Thames Crossing programme.

Integration partner

The integration partner will create a collaborative relationship between National Highways and all of its partners.
Jacobs has been awarded the Integration Partner contract for the project.

Delivery partner - roads north of the Thames

Our delivery partner for the roads north of the Thames contract is Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd.

Delivery partners - tunnels and systems

At 16 metres wide, our tunnels will be some of the largest bored tunnels in the world. They will also be the longest road tunnels in the UK.

Our delivery partners to build the tunnels and Approaches contract has been awarded to Bouygues Travaux Publics – Murphy Joint Venture

Delivery partner - Kent roads

Skanksa Construction UK Limited has been named as the preferred bidder for the Kent Roads contract.

Timeline for the Lower Thames Crossing

2009 - A Department for Transport (DfT) study

Owing to increasing demand at the Dartford Crossing, the DfT looks at options for an additional crossing at five potential locations (A, B, C, D and E). The two furthest east are ruled out as they are too far from the existing crossing. Rail is also ruled out. 

The government recognises the need for a new crossing by naming it a top 40 priority project in its National Infrastructure Plan.

The DfT commissioned a study to assess the three remaining location options.

The DfT carries out a public consultation to ask for views on the location of the proposed crossing.

The response to the consultation confirms the need for a new crossing between Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Option B is ruled out; the remaining two locations (A and C) are investigated further.

DfT asks Highways England to assess the economic, traffic, environmental and community impacts for locations A and C.

Location C is recommended as it offers far greater economic benefits and congestion relief.

A public consultation asks for feedback on proposals and location C, including 3 routes north of the river in Thurrock and Essex, and two south of the river in Kent.

The Secretary of State for Transport announces the preferred route, a tunnel under the River Thames east of Garvesend and Tilbury (location C, route three with the Western Southern Link).

Highways England holds a second public consultation.

Highways England holds a supplementary consultation.

Highways England holds a design refinement consultation.

Following our design refinement consultation last summer, we submitted a DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate in October 2020. However, based on early feedback, we withdrew the application in November 2020.

Highways England holds a community impacts consultation.

Our application for a DCO was submitted in October 2022 and examined from June to December 2023 by a panel of five independent, government-appointed experts. A decision is expected later in 2024. Read more about seeking permission to build and operate the Lower Thames Crossing. 

If consent is granted, construction work will begin in 2026. 

The Lower Thames Crossing opens to traffic.

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