LOCAL campaigners' hopes that an early end to their battle to stop the Lower Thames Crossing would be celebrated today (Monday, 28 November) have been dashed.

It has been announced the government's independent planning authority, the Planning Inspectorate, has accepted National Highway's application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) for detailed examination of the Lower Thames Crossing project.

It is a huge step forward for the transport quango and while its £10 billion plan still has many bridges to cross and could yet be rejected – a major hurdle has been passed.

The decision to accept the application means the Planning Inspectorate is satisfied that National Highway's consultation was conducted properly and a rigorous examination of the proposals by a panel of independent, government-appointed experts can now begin.

That means, if things go National Highways' way – despite concerted local opposition and against the wishes of Thurrock's two MPs - construction could start as early as 2024.

Thurrock MP Jackie Doyle-Price has already called on transport minister Mark Harper to tear up and scrap the project.

The planning process is likely to take around 18 months including six months of examination, some taking place at public hearings.

Ahead of the examination, the public can register to become an 'interested party' by making a Relevant Representation to the Planning Inspectorate. A Relevant Representation is a summary of a person's views on an application, made in writing. An Examining Authority is also appointed at the Pre-examination stage, and all Interested Parties will be invited to attend a Preliminary Meeting, run and chaired by the Examining Authority.

Lower Thames Crossing executive director for the Matt Palmer, said: "The Planning Inspectorate has accepted that our comprehensive programme of consultation and design development has been undertaken properly, meaning our plans can now be taken forward for robust and thorough examination by independent, government-appointed experts."

The DCO application documents are available to view on the Planning Inspectorate's website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-east/lower-thames-crossing/