Lower Thames Crossing – National Infrastructure Planning Project Page (TR010032)
The Planning Inspectorate's official project page for the Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order (TR010032), hosting all statutory consultation materials, the Environmental Statement (Application Document 6.1, October 2022), and the full DCO application submitted by National Highways. The DCO was granted on 25 March 2025.
Lower Thames Crossing - Project information
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Lower Thames Crossing
Project information
Latest update - 4 November 2025
A
Decision Letter
(PDF, 267KB),
Amendment Order 1
(PDF, 156KB) and
Amendment Order 2
(PDF, 155KB) have been issued by Secretary of State for to make a change that is not material to The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025 as corrected by The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025.
View all project updates
About the project
Type of applicationHighways
Name of applicantNational Highways
The Lower Thames Crossing will be a new road crossing connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Approximately 14.5 miles (23km) in length, it will connect to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels (one southbound and one northbound) running beneath the River Thames. The scheme also includes improvements to the M25, A2 and A13, where the scheme connects to the road network, new structures and changes to existing ones (including bridges, buildings, tunnel entrances, viaducts, and utilities such as electricity pylons) along the length of the new road and a free-flow charging system through the tunnel.
View the developer's website
Project stage
This project is at the
post-decision
stage.
This application was granted on 25 March 2025.
Pre-application
Completed
This is where the applicant starts to create their application. The applicant is required to consult with people and organisations in the area. They must also create detailed documents about the impact the project could have on the environment.
It is important to get involved at this stage to influence the application before the applicant sends it to the Planning Inspectorate.
Find out what you can do at this stage and check our detailed guides.
Acceptance
Completed
This is when the applicant sends us their application documents. We check if we can accept the application for examination. We have 28 days to make this decision.
How the acceptance stage works and what happens next.
Pre-examination
Completed
The Examining Authority is appointed and is made up of one or more inspectors. Anyone who wants to have their say needs to register at this stage.
The applicant must publish that the application has been accepted by us. They include when and how parties can register to get involved. The time period for registering is set by the applicant but must be no less than 30 days.
The pre-examination stage usually takes about 3 months.
What happens during the pre-examination stage.
Examination
Completed
The Examining Authority will ask questions about the proposed development. The applicant and anyone who has registered to have their say can get involved and submit comments at each deadline in the timetable. You can also attend hearings that may take place. This stage takes up to 6 months.
What happens at the examination stage?
Recommendation
Completed
The Examining Authority writes its recommendation report. This must be completed and sent to the relevant Secretary of State within 3 months of the end of examination stage.
Making a recommendation.
Decision
Completed
The decision stage is when the relevant Secretary of State then reviews the report and makes the final decision. They have 3 months to make a decision.
Who makes the final decision.
What happens after the decision is made
Once the Secretary of State has made a decision, challenges can be made to the High Court. All procedures must be followed when making a challenge. The High Court will decide if there are grounds for a judicial review.
This must happen within 6 weeks.
What you can do after the decision has been made.
Project location
East of Gravesend and Tilbury
Get updates
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updates on project progress
information on how to have your say
notifications when key documents are published
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to see how we handle your information.
Get updates
Contact us
Telephone
If you have an interested party number, have it with you when you call.
Telephone0303 444 5000
Open Monday to Friday9am to 4pm.
Closed on weekends and bank holidays.
lowerthamescrossing@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
.
When writing an email, quote the name of the project in the subject line.
We aim to respond within 10 working days.
Alternative formats
Call or email to ask for project documents in alternative formats such as PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille.