CONCERN has again been expressed by a campaign group over the blasé attitude of National Highways who are pressing ahead with plans for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing, spending huge sums of money without yet having got the green light for the controversial multi billion pound project.

This morning (Thursday, 13 October) the agency was trumpeting its plans for a new digital  'Carbon Academy' which it says will help people and businesses develop the green skills needed to build the crossing and future projects  

It says the academy will give local people and businesses work and training on the Lower Thames Crossing, which will leave a legacy of green skills helping the region become a world-leader in low-carbon construction.

Announcing the plan, National Highways says that 45 per cent of the people employed on the crossing project will be recruited from within 20 miles – meaning it will leave a significant skills legacy in local area as well as the broader construction industry.

Even though the agency has botched several attempts to win approval for a development consent order for the scheme, it appears to regard it as a fait accompli.

It boasts: "The proposed Lower Thames Crossing is a new road connecting Kent and Essex that will double road capacity across the Thames east of London through the UK's longest road tunnels.

"When it opens for traffic, it will ease congestion on the Dartford Crossing and improve journeys across the region. It will unlock economic growth locally and nationally by creating a reliable new connection between the south east, midlands and the north that brings people closer to jobs and businesses closer to their customers and suppliers. 

A first set of apprentices joined the Lower Thames Crossing scheme last year.

"As a pathfinder project exploring carbon neutral construction, the Lower Thames Crossing will test and scale up the use of modern methods of construction, low-carbon materials and digital technology during construction of the new road.

"The new digital Carbon Academy is being established to help develop the skills required to deliver the project, and in doing so set a new standard for low carbon construction that will support the pipeline of future investment in the region."

National Highways adds:

• All staff will be enrolled in Carbon Academy to futureproof skills 
• Specialist support for over 1,000 people who were previously unemployed from a disadvantaged or underrepresented group 
• Staff will spend 7,000 hours in local schools with teachers and students 
• Championing local businesses, and spending £1 in every £3 of construction budget with SMEs  

However, news of the academy and the agency's continued claims about its positive impact on the region cut little ice with local campaign group the Thames Crossing Action Group.

Its chair Laura Blake told Thurrock Nub news: ""National Highways have not managed to submit an acceptable planning application (DCO) yet, let alone been granted permission for the hugely destructive and harmful proposed £8.2bn+ Lower Thames Crossing, that evidence shows would not solve the problems at the Dartford Crossing.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) have stated that 'new roads should only be built if they can be shown not to increase emissions'.  The carbon emissions for the LTC are predicted to be around seven million tonnes. Even putting all the other concerns and issues aside, there is no way on climate grounds that the proposed LTC should go ahead.

"Where is the evidence in the info National Highways have shared that proves they would actually be able to reduce carbon emissions to an acceptable level? How can they guarantee that 45% of workers will come from within 20 miles of the project when those workers have not yet been employed/contracted?

"And of course they conveniently ignore the negative impacts the proposed LTC would have if it goes ahead. This is just more misleading propaganda and greenwash."