UK to have faster travel as drivers promised shorter journey times and modernised roads
Drivers could benefit from faster travel and fewer delays through the creation of the Lower Thames Crossing.
The crossing is a proposed new road tunnel between Essex and Kent which will connect to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels running beneath the River Thames.
The planning decision for the tunnel was due to take place on June 20, but the General Election has delayed the scheme.
But now, Labour has announced it will aim to deliver the project 25 per cent faster and 20 per cent cheaper if it wins.
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Lower Thames Crossing would connect to the A2 and M2 in Kent
NATIONAL RAILS
The A122 Lower Thames Crossing would connect to the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 in Thurrock and junction 29 of the M25 in the London Borough of Havering.
It would be approximately 14.3 miles long, with 2.6 miles of this in two tunnels under the Thames, making them the longest road tunnels in the UK.
The tunnels would be east of the village of Chalk on the south side of the Thames and west of East Tilbury on the north side.
It aims to tackle congestion by taking over 13 million vehicles away every year from Dartford and freeing up almost a full lane of traffic.
It also hopes to create a more resilient road network on heavily used parts of the A2, A13 and M25 while reducing traffic spilling onto local roads.
National Highways detailed: “Congestion at Dartford costs the UK economy millions of pounds every year, and the lack of a reliable connection acts as a handbrake on growth.
“A reliable new connection will add billions to the UK economy by making journeys quicker, safer and more reliable.”
Labour said it will “apply industry-leading best practice to major transport projects from the start” and publish a “long-term strategy for transport”.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: “Levelling up has been an absolute sham under the Conservatives and nowhere is this more apparent than the woeful state of our transport infrastructure.
“Labour is committed to tackling this from day one. We will turn the page on years of Tory waste, chaos and broken promises.
“Improving rail connectivity and capacity across the North is an absolute priority for Labour – and we will deliver value for the taxpayer while turbocharging delivery of transport projects.
“That’s how you grow the economy in every corner of the country and deliver the transport network that modern Britain needs.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Tunnel could be built 25 per cent faster under Labour
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The Lower Thames Crossing forms part of National Highways investments into the country’s road network and is an essential component in the UK’s future transport infrastructure.
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