Image by Diliff - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6056221
This is a plain-English, referenced review of the Lower Thames Crossing that separates fact from spin. We compare the chosen Option C with an alternative long tunnel at Dartford (A14) using scheme-only measures: congestion, operational risk, costs/BCR and environmental footprint. The numbers show both options score poorly on value for money, while A14 would likely have a smaller surface impact and lower ‘should-cost’ for the tunnelled section. Our conclusion: pause the project, publish the missing data, and run a short merits-only options refresh.
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Historically, the UK’s “King’s Highway” was maintained for public benefit, with the Crown responsible for ensuring safe passage. Over time, however, government policies, tolls, and road taxes have led to a perception that commercial interests, particularly freight, are prioritized, shifting focus from roads as a public resource to monetized infrastructure.
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The freight industry’s reliance on lobbying for road projects like the £9 billion Lower Thames Crossing overlooks the potential of technology to solve congestion and reduce costs. AI-driven route optimization, electrification, and autonomous vehicles could provide far greater long-term benefits, making road expansion a short-sighted solution.
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The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC), with its modest 20% traffic reduction at Dartford and low cost-benefit ratio, offers limited long-term relief. Sustainable alternatives like rail freight, exemplified by Europe’s VIIA Britanica, present a more effective, eco-friendly solution. Electrified road, sea, and air transport remain distant, making rail the immediate path forward.
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National Highways is regulated by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which oversees its performance and ensures that it meets targets related to safety, efficiency, and road user satisfaction. ORR monitors how well National Highways manages and maintains the strategic road network, which includes major roads and motorways across
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The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) faces growing scrutiny due to rising costs, public opposition, and poor financial returns. Despite this, the government proposes a new infrastructure body to push through such projects. However, this overlooks the root causes—poor design and spiralling costs—that no quango can truly fix.
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