CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed news of a National Audit Office investigation into the £11 billion Lower Thames Crossing – saying it's time to give the project the 'red card'.

The Transport Action Network (TAN) says it welcomes the news that the Audit Office has agreed to it request for an investigation into the planned privatisation of the crossing.

TAN says it has been 'raising the alarm' about the financial irregularities with the crossing project for some time, and wrote to the the Audit Office in March and June this year.

Last week they received confirmation that the Audit Office would "examine and report on" the LTC, acknowledging it is of "high parliamentary and public interest"

TAN's concerns about the LTC include:

• LTC's cost keeps increasing, and is now up to £11bn with an extra £174m awarded in secret, after the "final tranche" in the Autumn Budget 2025
• The LTC will be privatised, along with the Dartford Crossings, with valuable toll revenues lost to the exchequer
• Over £3 billion of public funds is being used to subsidise the project, but the final total could be more depending on the terms negotiated with investors
• However, a business case has not been completed for this mega-project, breaking Treasury rules

TAN is concerned, however, that the investigation needs to happen soon to avoid billions of public funds being wasted, and has written again to the Audit Office to stress the urgency

Abby Coften, TAN's Chief Executive, said: "We're pleased the NAO agrees with us that the privatised Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) needs investigating.

"However, this must be fast tracked before more public funds are wasted.

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"The same mistakes are being made as on HS2, but worse as LTC costs more per mile and has no completed business case.

"Billions of pounds of taxpayers' money are being spent for just five years' relief at Dartford.

"Meanwhile the toll revenues at LTC and Dartford will be gifted to private investors, and lost to the exchequer. It's time to give the LTC the red card."

Sickening, madness, devastating and misleading. Longrunning condemnation of the LTC.

LTC justification of project. Video report from agency.