New crossing spared after spending cuts announced

The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) has been spared from a fresh round of government spending cuts after ministers confirmed the long-awaited £11bn road scheme remains on track.

The crossing, designed to ease congestion at the Dartford Crossing and improve links between Essex and Kent, has faced repeated delays but moved a step closer to becoming reality earlier this year when preparatory works began.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that some road and energy schemes would be scaled back or scrapped across the UK to help fund a £15bn boost in defence spending.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed the LTC is not among the projects facing the axe.

National Highways is currently carrying out work to protect utilities, wildlife habitats and heritage assets ahead of the main construction phase, which is expected to begin in 2028.

The project includes a new road crossing beneath the River Thames and is intended to provide a significant alternative route to the heavily used Dartford tunnels.

Unlike many major road schemes, the Lower Thames Crossing is expected to be funded largely through private investment rather than direct government spending, which has helped shield it from the latest spending cuts, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Explaining the decision to redirect funding, the government said difficult choices were necessary to ensure Britain's armed forces remain equipped to meet modern threats while putting defence spending on a more sustainable footing.

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