THE government has announced a further delay on a decision as to whether the controversial Lower Thames Crossing will go ahead.

An announcement was expected last week after months of deliberation about the multi-billion pound project to link Lent and Essex with a tunnel and road route through Thurrock but it was delayed.

This evening (Monday, 7 October), the transport minister Louise Haigh set a new deadline of 23 May next year to determine the scheme's development consent order.

The hugely controversial scheme has already cost many tens of millions, but it is widely acknowledged it will do little to solve the 'pinch-point' issues at the existing Dartford Crossing.

Ms Haigh said: "The deadline for the decision is to be further extended to 23 May 2025 in order to allow more time for the application to be considered further, including any decisions made as part of the spending review."

The application to build the 14.5 mile-long scheme was submitted in October 2022, and the examining authority submitted its recommendation to the government in March this year following a public inquiry.

Under 2008 legislation intended to speed up the delivery of nationally significant infrastructure, ministers are under a duty to make decision on approval or rejection within three months of receiving the examiner's recommendation.

However, they have the power to extend the deadline by informing Parliament.

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That has happened today.

The following statement was issued to parliament: "This statement confirms that it is necessary to extend the deadline for a decision on the application by National Highways under the Planning Act 2008, for the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order.

"Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, a decision on an application must be made within 3 months of receipt of the Examining Authority's report, unless the power, under section 107(3), is exercised to extend the deadline, and a Written Ministerial Statement is made to Parliament announcing the new deadline.

"The Examining Authority's report on the Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order was received on 20 March 2024. The current deadline for a decision is 4 October 2024, having been extended from 20 June 2024 by way of a written ministerial statement.  

"The deadline for the decision is to be further extended to 23 May 2025 in order to allow more time for the application to be considered further, including any decisions made as part of the spending review.

"The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to grant the application development consent."

Commenting on the latest delay, Marie-Claude Hemming, director of operations at the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, said: "While we understand the importance of ensuring the right decision is made, this last-minute delay will heavily impact upon the confidence and strength of the supply chain, which has primed itself for delivery now."

Campaigning group the Transport Action Network (TAN) which has opposed the crossing, welcomed the delay this evening  but nonetheless urged Ms Haigh to scrap the scheme.

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TAN said the minster should use the time to examine the significant concerns with the scheme by independent experts, local MPs, and the local councils in Thurrock and Gravesham.

Chris Todd, TAN's Director, said: "We hope Louise Haigh will use this breathing space to fully engage with the concerns about this outdated project. It fails on all its objectives and would provide only five years relief at Dartford, less time than it would take to build. Proceeding with-it would be madness.

"The £9bn price tag is just the tip of the iceberg as National Highways has hidden the true costs of a deliverable scheme, which is already more expensive per mile than HS2. Even then it undermines all five of Labour's missions and ambitions to move freight onto rail, improve public transport and protect nature.

"That said, something does need to be done in this area. However, it requires a fresh approach, looking at all the transport needs of the region, not just a road crossing. The blinkered approach to the problems at Dartford got us into this mess in the first place."

The crossing is opposed by Labour MPs Jen Craft (Thurrock) and Lauren Sullivan (Gravesham) whose constituencies the LTC runs through. As is new Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, James McMurdocK MP, whose constituency contains large stretches of the route.

Thurrock and Gravesham Councils also oppose the scheme.