Focus of work
Thames Crossing Action Group represents thousands of people who are opposed to the proposed Lower Thames Crossing (LTC).
The hugely destructive and harmful proposed LTC is currently estimated to cost £10bn+++. It fails to meet scheme objectives and is not fit for purpose. It is estimated to create 6.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions. The LTC would destroy homes, lives, health, communities, greenbelt, solar farms, grade 1 listed agricultural land, ancient woodland, wildlife and habitats, the environment, and so much more. It would also not solve the problems that so many suffer with due to the Dartford Crossing, which would remain over capacity even if LTC is built, a fact proven by National Highways’ own data. National Highways have also not planned for how traffic would migrate between the two crossings. If LTC goes ahead, there would be more congestion and pollution.
Impact
Thames Crossing Action Group has already scored a significant victory as National Highways was forced to withdraw its first Development Consent Order (DCO) application to avoid Planning Inspectorate (PINS) refusing it in 2020. The group’s 51 page ‘inadequacies of consultation’ report for PINS contributed to this significant delay.
Thames Crossing Action Group are now preparing to submit evidence and challenge National Highways’ October/November 2022 resubmission of the DCO application. They plan to maintain their high profile social media presence, and continue to gain national and local media attention, to help expose all the reasons why the proposed LTC should be scrapped.
