Thames Crossing funding still opaque as new consultation launched

15/07/2021 | CHRIS AMES

The roads regulator has criticised Highways England for failing to quantify the impact of delays to the Lower Thames Crossing on its budget for the current Road Investment Strategy (RIS 2).

The government-owned company has admitted that construction on the project to build a tunnel between Kent and Essex is now likely to start in 2024, at least a year later than planned, and may not be complete until 2030.

Highways England has so far failed to clarify how the amended timetable will affect funding under RIS 2.

In its latest assessmment of Highways England's performance, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) revealed that delays to large schemes in the development phase have caused a projected underspend of £555m, which 'does not include the expected financial effect of the 12-month delay on Lower Thames Crossing'.

The ORR added: 'We are concerned that whilst the delay was known in November 2020, Highways England was still evaluating the RP2 and total outturn impact at year-end.'

In addition, Highways England’s recently published Delivery Plan Update still gives a projected start date of '2022-23 Q4', albeit noting that this date could change.

The RIS 2 document gives the cost of the project as between £6.4bn and £8.2bn, although it is unclear how much of this funding was originally due to come during the second roads period (2020-25) as part of what is said to be £14.7bn for ‘upgrades’.

The news comes as Highways England has published its latest consultation on the Lower Thames Crossing.

Matt Palmer, executive director for Lower Thames Crossing, said: ‘The new, reliable connection would improve access to hundreds of thousands of additional jobs, offer new opportunities for local businesses, and create and connect new green spaces that are so important for wildlife and local communities.

‘This further consultation is another opportunity for people to have their say before we submit our planning application at the end of the year.’

Highways England is promoting the new link as providing ‘better access to existing jobs for Gravesham, Thurrock and Havering as improved journey times would bring over 400,000 more jobs within a 60-minute commute’.

The work is now set in the context of the Government's newly released transport decarbonisation plan, which pledged to review the national policy statement, which sets out the Government’s policies on the national road network.

Highways England has repeatedly disputed the concept of induce demand, under which additional road capacity creates additional journeys, although it promotes its schemes as facilitating new journeys.

Highways England said consultation documents also include summaries that provide an unprecedented level of information tailored to each local community affected by the project and including details of:

  • two new public parks that would remove the need for over 470,000 HGV movements on local roads by beneficially reusing excavated material:
  • a 38-hectare park near Gravesend
  • a 48-hectare park overlooking the Thames in Thurrock
  • more than 260 hectares of new woodland – in addition to the new 100-hectare community woodland being created in partnership with Forestry England, near Great Warley in Brentwood
  • 46km of new and improved footpaths, bridleways, and cycle routes, as well as 120% more hedgerows, 40% more ponds, 10% more ditches, and seven new green bridges
  • the proposed locations of the construction and utility compounds, and temporary construction roads
  • a summary of the predicted impact of the project during construction and operation on topics ranging from local traffic, public transport and cycle paths to air quality, noise and vibration.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Works Technician

£37,399 (plus unsocial hours allowance)
The Works Technician is responsible for ensuring that the London Trams civils and off-track infrastructure Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Transport for London
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW