The Road Haulage Association has welcomed the Lower Thames Crossing consultation, published by the Department for Transport.

“For the road haulage industry, time is money and this proposal comes as good news to members of the RHA,” said RHA chief executive Richard Burnett. The crossing between Essex and Kent represents a vital, cost-effective route that is heavily utilised by the haulage industry.

“Our members report that the current crossing is usually busy and frequently congested. Therefore we are pleased to see that the consultation paper acknowledges that the new route, opening in around 2025, is likely to lift the local and national economy by facilitating the speedy transportation of goods, reducing congestion, curbing greenhouse gas and other emissions, as well as bringing some road safety benefits.”

Richard Burnett continued: “There is a desperate need to increase capacity on this route, as anyone who uses the Dartford crossing regularly will know. The congestion created is a daily burden for the UK economy.”

The proposed new crossing will have the advantage of offering a shorter route to and from the Port of Dover and Channel Tunnel and will give a valuable alternative route in the event of any incidents in the Dartford area.

The chosen route was the RHA’s preferred option in a consultation in 2012. The need is now to press ahead with the project.

Road Haulage Association

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