National Highways has started early works on the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing project.
With major tunnelling and construction expected to begin in 2028, the strategic road network authority has roughly 50 archaeologists working to ‘excavate and reserve the heritage' on the Essex side of the Thames around Coalhouse Fort.
Alongside this, ground investigations are also being undertaken to give the project's team a better understanding of the soil, rock and groundwater in the area, which will help flesh out the details of how the foundations and structures for the crossing will need to be designed.
On the Kent side of the river, near the village of Thong, National Highways is also creating new habitats with ponds, trees and hedgerows.
To facilitate this work, the project's first work compounds are being set up near East Tilbury in Thurrock, and at Thong near Gravesend, with facilities for workers and storage for machinery, equipment and materials.
The team is also creating temporary ‘Haul roads' between the compounds and work sites to ensure that construction vehicles, materials and equipment are kept off local roads.
Shaun Pidcock, delivery director for the Lower Thames Crossing, said: ‘There's now real progress to be seen, as we start getting the area ready for the new road and tunnel to be built. Our low-carbon approach to construction means the Lower Thames Crossing will be Britain's greenest road and create local jobs and new skills.'
National Highways also plans to start diverting gas, water, electricity and telecoms lines along the route later this year, in order to safeguard supplies that feed the south-east and London.
