THE early work to prepare parts of Essex and Kent for construction of National Highways' Lower Thames Crossing is now underway.

Before the major construction and tunnelling begins in 2028, work will be carried out to protect the area's utility supplies, heritage, and wildlife, with around 1000 hectares of new habitat created.

In Essex around Coalhouse Fort, around 50 archaeologists are currently excavating to uncover and preserve the heritage of the area. Ground investigations are also being carried out to give a better understanding of soil, rock and ground water to help the detailed design of the foundations and structures needed to build the route.

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."

Archaeological excavations at Coalhouse Point - February 2026

Later this spring, work will start to turn an area of scrubland bigger than 30 football pitches near Coalhouse Point in East Tilbury into a wetland for migratory and wading birds. Diggers will create wetland 'scrapes', ponds, and ditches that will fill with tidal water and give a home to water voles and newts. Work on the new habitats will be completed next year, before being left to mature.

In Kent to the east of the Thong village, new habitats with ponds, trees and hedgerows are being created. Later this spring archaeologists will start work in the area around the southern tunnel entrance, to the east of Gravesend.

Later this year the project will also start diverting gas, water, electricity and telecoms lines along the route to safeguard supplies that feed London and the south-east.

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Members of the public are invited to a series of community roadshows to talk to the project team and learn about work taking place near them. The first event is in East Tilbury on Monday, 9 March, with nine events planned over the next four weeks.

They include:

East Tilbury Primary School, Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury, RM18 8SB

Monday 9 March 2026  5.30pm - 8pm  

Orsett Hall Hotel, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, RM16 3HS

Wednesday 18 March 2026 3pm - 8pm 

Includes 3D model of the northern section of the route

Chadwell St Mary Village Hall, Waterson Road, Grays, RM16 4NX

Friday 20 March 2026 3pm - 8pm

St Mary Magdalene Church, Church Lane, North Ockendon, RM14 3QH

Thursday 26 March 2026  3pm - 8pm  

Lakeside Shopping Centre (Centre Atrium, Lower Mall), Thurrock Way, West Thurrock, RM20 2ZP

Saturday 28 March 2026  10am - 8.30pm  

Linford Methodist Church, East Tilbury Road, Linford, SS17 0QS

Monday 30 March 2026 3pm - 8pm

The project's first work compounds are being set up near East Tilbury and at Thong near Gravesend. They will contain facilities for workers and storage for machinery, equipment and materials. 'Haul roads' – temporary roads used by construction vehicles to keep materials and equipment off local roads – are being created between the compounds and nearby worksites.

Six hydrogen generators are already at work on one of the compounds alongside a new electric drilling rig and diggers. The project recently bought the largest ever volume of low-carbon hydrogen for a construction scheme.

New pond being created to the east of Thong village - March 2026

Local jobseekers and businesses will have plenty of opportunities, as the Lower Thames Crossing plans to recruit almost half of workers from within 20 miles of the project and spend at least £1 in every £3 of the construction budget with SMEs. The project is opening permanent Skills Hubs in Gravesham and Thurrock, to give local people the chance to learn new construction skills free of charge.

The new road and tunnel will connect Kent and Essex.

Last year the project received planning permission and the final part of public funding that will enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation of the new road. It is due to open in the early to mid 2030s.

The impact of the Lower Thames Crossing is going to be felt across Thurrock, and is generally regeraded as unwelcome.

One resident contacted Thurrock Nub News today, summing up many local thoughts by saying: "Pity the farmers who are losing their land and livelihoods, who've farmed these lands for generations, who won't see compensation until the project is completed, probably.

"Not sure if locals truly appreciate this aspect.

"And Coalhouse Fort will no longer be one of Thurrock's rare slices of relative peace and quiet, along with the Fens that fan in the north of the borough, along with our already diminished air quality."