CHARITIES and community groups have been urged to make a bid for grants made available by National Highways - who have set aside £2 million over the next seven years to share with good causes to compensate for the £10 billion Lower Thames Crossing (LTC).

Local organisations can apply for cash grants of up to £10,000 as the project launches its new Community Fund today (Monday, 9 February).

The opportunity for local good causes comes ahead of the start of construction work on the new road and tunnel this year.

The project, delivered by National Highways, has been in the planning stage for more than a decade and there have been years of excavations and test work across the borough for years with a formal start to construction work due this year.

Recently National Highways announced the beginning of its campaign to ensure work on the project is given to local companies.

Now, the roads quango says it has a commitment to leave a positive legacy for local communities and is offering up £2m from its coffers.

Local charities, voluntary organisations, parish councils, community groups and social enterprises are all eligible to apply. 

To be in with a chance of receiving a grant, applicants must show they will enhance the quality of life for local people within the areas close to the Lower Thames Crossing by improving mental health and wellbeing, boosting local skills and employment, improving local connections or enhancing the local environment.

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Shaun Pidcock, the LTC Programme delivery director, said: "The Lower Thames Crossing is one of Britain's most important economic projects, but it's also a local project where we have close neighbours. By supporting initiatives that are important to our communities - from a sports club to a foodbank or a small heritage project, we intend to make a real positive difference."

The LTC Community Fund is being run with support from Essex Community Foundation, who will manage the applications independently. 

Decisions to award grants will be made by a panel including representatives from the local authorities and community, National Highways, and Essex Community Foundation. 

Applications can be made through the Lower Thames Crossing's website, which details full application criteria and guidance.

The new Community Fund follows a pilot in 2023 that awarded almost £250,000 to over 50 projects, with over 30 of them based in Essex, Havering and Thurrock. 

A wide variety of projects were supported, including an initiative to reduce loneliness in Upminster called Communi-Tea; help with maintenance costs for defibrillators in East Tilbury, and Evolve Community, a weekly club providing physical activities for children and young people in Grays.

One of the organisations that benefited from the 2023 pilot was One Community Development Trust. 

Trust CEO Yewande Kannike, said: "The funding brought residents from diverse backgrounds together, helping new families build friendships and feel a stronger sense of belonging. 

"It raised seven new volunteer peer mentors to support vulnerable members of the community. It also created a pathway for future family-focused educational and recreational activities in Tilbury as well as local access to all our training, volunteering and employment related projects to help residents become more economically sustainable."

Zoe Brampton, grants manager at Essex Community Foundation said: "We're delighted to support the Lower Thames Crossing Community Fund, which gives charities and community groups the opportunity to deliver projects that make a real difference locally. The 2023 pilot demonstrated the impact that targeted local investment can have, and we're excited to see how new projects will bring positive change and lasting benefits for people across Thurrock, Brentwood and Havering."

The LTC project received planning permission in March 2025. In the Budget last year the Chancellor committed the final part of public funding that will enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation of the new road. However, its is expected around £9 billion still needs to be raised from the private sector. Though that funding is not in place, the government has sanctioned the start of work.