NATIONAL Highways has today (Thursday, 12 May) launched a further consultation on the Lower Thames Crossing following proposed changes to the project. 

The five-week local refinement consultation runs until 23.59 on Monday. 20 June. It gives the public the opportunity to have their say on some local changes to the project proposed following the extensive community impacts consultation held in 2021, before National Highways submits an application for a Development Consent Order later this year. 

The proposed changes include: 

• changes to the design of a new public park on the north bank of the Thames in Thurrock (Tilbury Fields) to make space for the planned Thames Freeport  
• modified access to the northern tunnel entrance in Thurrock providing safer operation of the tunnel facilities and better access for emergency services 
• more public open space to the east of the tunnel entrance in Gravesham, connected to Chalk Park – the proposed new public park overlooking the Thames 
• replacing an existing slip road with a new link from the Orsett Cock roundabout to the A1089 in Thurrock to reduce traffic impacts on some local roads 
• a new footbridge over the A127 in Havering and improvements to pathways for walkers, cyclists and horse riders including better bridleway connections around the A2 junction and the A226 in Gravesham 
• further improvements to landscaping proposals 
• refining our plans for the changes needed to utilities in the local area  
• additional environmental compensation and mitigation 
• refinements to the Order Limits, the land needed to build and operate the new road, as a result of proposed changes 

The public can visit a dedicated consultation website to watch videos explaining the proposed changes, view an interactive map, and find the consultation documents which can also be delivered to homes free of charge or picked up from local libraries. Anyone who has questions can speak to a member of the project team through a telephone call back service or at a nearby consultation event.  Details of events are listed below.  

Matt Palmer, Executive Director for the Lower Thames Crossing, said: "There is a pressing need to tackle congestion at the Dartford Crossing which causes delays and unreliable journeys for tens of thousands of people every day. The Lower Thames Crossing will be a vital piece of the UK's transport infrastructure, not only by providing a reliable alternative to Dartford, but by driving the economy by bringing people closer to jobs and businesses closer to their customers.  

• Thurs 19 May, 2pm-8pm: The Civic Hall, Blackshots Lane, Grays, RM16 2JU  
• Fri 27 May, 2pm-8pm: North Street Hall, 24 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1QX  
• Mon 6 June, 2pm-8pm: East Thurrock Community Association, 77 Corringham Road, Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 0NU  
• Tues 7 June, 2pm-8pm: Tilbury Community Association, Civic Square, Tilbury, RM18 8AA  
• Mon 13 June, 2pm-8pm: Orsett Hall Hotel, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett, RM16 3HS 
• Brentwood Library, New Road, Brentwood, CM14 4BP  
• Chadwell Library, Brentwood Road, Chadwell St Mary, Grays, RM16 4JP  
• Grays Library, Thameside Complex, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX  
• Romford Central Library, St Edwards Way, Romford, RM1 3AR 
• Belhus Library, South Ockendon Centre, Derry Avenue, South Ockendon, RM15 5DX 
• Corringham Library, St Johns Way, Corringham, Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 7LJ  
• East Tilbury Library, Princess Avenue, East Tilbury, RM18 8ST  
• Harold Hill Library, 19a Farnham Road, Romford, RM3 8ED 
• Stanford-le-Hope Library, High Street, Stanford-le-Hope, SS17 0HG  
• Tilbury Library, Tilbury Hub, Civic Square, Tilbury, RM18 8AD  
• Upminster Library, 26 Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB