THE integrity of the government and roads agency National Highways has been questioned by campaigners against the Lower Thames Crossing, who say consultation and discussion over more than a decade has been something of a sham because 'the decision was already made'.

The Thames Crossing Action Group spoke up after a Freedom of Information (FOI) request showed that over recent years, going back beyond 2018, National Highways has been buying up local properties.

In total, information obtained by the BBC showed that 71 properties had been purchased, with 57 of them being rented out to tenants.

National Highways has spent more than £50m purchasing properties and it has received more than £5m in rental payments from properties it now owns, since 2018.

Campaigners suggest that part of the motive for the purchases is to cut down on complaints from householders affected by the planned new route – an accusation backed up by the fact that the government agency says it has reduced the number of properties affected by almost 70% since it started planning the scheme.

Though it has been considered since 2009, the crossing was only officially approved by government in March 2025 after hundreds of millions had been spent on exploratory work – and buying up properties.

As yet, financing for the construction of the tunnel crossing and roads has not been agreed, with the government recently saying it is reaching out to the private sector to fund – and then operate - the crossing. To date the government has spent more than one billion pounds on the project – but the total cost is expected to approach, if not surpass, £11bn.

The recent FOI request revealed the extent of National Highways' purchasing operation:

• There were 76 properties located within the route corridor of the LTC
• Fifty-one were in Essex, 14 in Havering and 11 in Kent
• Of these properties, 51 have so far been purchased for £37.6m
• Four more are in the process of being purchased, with the remaining 21 properties subject to compulsory purchase powers in due course

Owners whose properties fall outside the order limits of the LTC - but are still negatively impacted by its construction - are eligible to apply to National Highways to ask for their property to be considered for purchase.

The FOI revealed there were 23 properties which had applied for this, of which National Highways had purchased 20 for a total of £12.8m.

National Highways has committed to buying the other three properties as well.

The Thames Crossing Action Group - made up of campaigners opposed to the project - said the FOI showed "homes were being bought up and rented out long before the scheme had legal consent, creating a sense that the decision was already made".

"While National Highways may say these purchases were voluntary, the scale and timing raise serious questions about fairness, transparency and respect for the planning process," a spokesman said.

"There is no evidence of illegality, but there is growing evidence of a system that places intolerable pressure on communities long before Parliament has had its say."

A spokesperson for National Highways told the BBC the Lower Thames Crossing would "improve journeys and bring significant benefits to people and businesses across the region", but acknowledged there would be "an impact on properties along the route of the new road".

"Through a comprehensive programme of consultation we have been able to significantly reduce the number affected by almost 70%, and reached voluntary agreements with many," they said.

The spokesperson added that National Highways had been in touch "with all people with an interest in land affected by the project for almost a decade", and was "committed to paying a fair market value to property owners."