By Lynda Myer
The development consent order (DCO) application for constructing the £6.8bn Lower Thames Crossing, creating an underground corridor between Essex and Kent, was released suddenly by the Highways England shortly this month. After the call for bidders to build the longest twin-tube road tunnel in the UK applying Tunnel Boring Machines, the Highways England decided to reveal the DCO of the Lower Thames Crossing.
A spokesman of the government-owned company declared: “As with all major projects, there is a natural uncertainty of delivering a project of the size and scale of the Lower Thames Crossing. We’ve withdrawn the DCO application for the Lower Thames Crossing based on early feedback we’ve had from the Planning Inspectorate.”
“We will take time to collate the information required for the specific points raised and will be resubmitting the application early in the new year. If the proposed road opening date changes, we will provide an update.”
