CAMPAIGNERS from the Transport Action Network (TAN) have ridiculed National Highways' attempt to brand the proposed Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) as the "greenest road ever", describing this as "putting green lipstick on a pig" and a rehash of previous announcements. Costing over £10 billion, the project would be the biggest new road in a generation, requiring huge quantities of concrete as well as unleashing a huge wave of traffic in the middle of a climate emergency. 

National Highways has published a higher target to cut carbon emissions from construction which it had previously announced late last year.

TAN says it believes this is a distraction from the agency's ongoing failures to meet existing commitments, including using hydrogen for heavy machinery, which some experts believe will not be viable.

It says many of the things that National Highways are claiming as groundbreaking have already been done elsewhere. In contrast the Lower Thames Crossing would be contributing to accelerating climate change by increasing traffic and carbon emissions.

Chris Todd, TAN's Director, said: "National Highways is making ever more desperate attempts to keep this doomed scheme afloat. The Chancellor's admission she cannot pay for the Lower Thames Crossing and that the private sector needs to step in clearly has it rattled. 

"With the government committed to cut emissions by 81% by 2035 and weather extremes increasing, we can find greener ways to build for urgently needed public transport and flood protection schemes. By contrast, trying to green a hugely damaging road scheme is like putting green lipstick on a pig. Not a pretty sight.

"Everyone will end up paying the price if the Lower Thames Crossing goes ahead with private finance. It will cause 7 years of delays while it is built, for only 5 years relief at Dartford, with tolls increasing at both crossings to pay back investors. It is not fit for purpose and no amount of greenwashing will make it so." 

TAN has already produced an independent expert report into the Lower Thames Crossing by leading consultant, Dr Colin Black, which outlines many of the failings of the LTC. Further concerns were raised in TAN's recent consultation response to the Secretary of State [8].

TAN says it is working with industry experts to come up with more affordable and better low carbon solutions than the LTC. These would be better at delivering economic growth and for relieving pressure at Dartford.