New public consultation on plans to build and operate the Lower Thames Crossing
Published
23 Jun 2021
Community Impacts consultation will run from Wednesday 14 July 2021
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Today (Wednesday 23 June) we’ve announced details of a new round of public consultation, as we prepare to submit our application for a Development Consent Order later this year.
You can find the consultation website here and all information will be available from 14th July at 0001.
View the consultation leaflet here.
This Community Impacts Consultation will give people the opportunity to review and comment on our plans to build and operate the Lower Thames Crossing, and how we propose to reduce our impact on the local community and environment. Topics include changes to traffic, air quality, noise and vibration, as well as the impact of the new crossing on the environment and landscape.
"...This further consultation is another opportunity for you to have your say before we submit our planning application at the end of the year."Matt Palmer, Executive Director
The consultation will also include some changes made to the project since the previous consultation in 2020. This includes a reduction in the area needed to build and operate the scheme, a smaller impact on local properties and woodland, and new public spaces on both sides of the River Thames. We have also summarised how the feedback provided during earlier consultations has been used in the development of the project.
Matt Palmer, Executive Director for Lower Thames Crossing, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious road scheme in a generation. It will improve journeys, drive long term economic growth by creating new opportunities for those living, working and doing business in the region, and play a key role in our recovery from Covid by supporting 22,000 jobs during construction.
Your feedback has been crucial in developing the project – not just to reduce the impact, but to find opportunities to enhance habitats for local wildlife, and create new public parks, woodland, and footpaths for the local community. This further consultation is another opportunity for you to have your say before we submit our planning application at the end of the year. I would like to thank you in advance for once again giving us your time and feedback.”
The eight-week consultation will run from Wednesday 14 July to 23:59 on Wednesday 8 September 2021.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we are providing a range of ways to access information including:
- A dedicated consultation website
- A series of webinars
- A telephone call back service so you can speak to a member of the team
- Plans to hold a series of in-person events at locations along the proposed route
- A range of documents will be also published alongside new visualisations and video fly-throughs giving an overview of the route before, during and after it is built
When the consultation closes, we will take some time to consider your feedback. We plan to submit a new application for a Development Consent Order later this year. This will start the 18 month consent process. If given the green light, construction is expected to start in 2024 and take around six years, leading to a revised road opening date between 2029 and 2030.
For further information contact us at info@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 5000. You can also get the latest updates on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
