UK Government Pledges £590M Boost Lower Thames Crossing Infrastructure

The UK government has pledged an additional £590 million towards the Lower Thames Crossing, a £9.2 billion infrastructure project aimed at reducing congestion on the Dartford Crossing by linking Essex and Kent with a new motorway-style road, including a 2.6-mile tunnel under the Thames. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized the project's importance for improving freight route resilience and trade with Europe, while Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted it as a critical investment supporting thousands of jobs and national infrastructure. The crossing is expected to nearly double road capacity over the river east of London, removing over 13 million vehicles annually from Dartford and speeding up the movement of goods from southeast England to other regions. Despite support from Logistics UK and local leadership in Kent, the project has faced opposition from Thurrock Council and campaigners concerned about environmental impacts, including disruption and effects on ancient woodland. Construction could begin as early as 2026, with the main works taking six to eight years, and is part of a broader £1 billion structures fund to improve transport infrastructure resilience across the UK. The government is also poised to overhaul public procurement rules to prioritize firms promoting British jobs, complementing a wider infrastructure strategy involving housing and energy investments.