New community engagement groups to hold Lower Thames Crossing to account during construction

The Lower Thames Crossing is committed to listening to and acting on the views of local people. The design of the road was shaped by a comprehensive programme of consultation and engagement, and now early work has started the project keeps its neighbours up to date through an outreach programme that includes regular drop-in events, letter drops, and a new interactive map of current and planned activity.

During the liaison group meetings, members of the project team will share information about upcoming work and the likely impact. Conversations with the community representatives will focus on how to avoid or minimise any impacts on the area, and how best to communicate with local residents and businesses.

Members were selected after discussion with affected local authorities, and will include representatives from community groups, along with community leaders such as councillors and local authority officers.

The groups will be led by independent Chairs with extensive knowledge of the Lower Thames Crossing and a strong track record of challenging it on behalf of the local community. Stephen Metcalfe, former MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, will chair the two Community Liaison Groups covering the project north of the river Thames. Bob Lane, Chair of Shorne Parish Council and former Gravesham Borough Councillor will chair the Community Liaison Group covering the project in Kent. Bob was formerly Chair of action groups opposing the Lower Thames Crossing.

Stephen Metcalfe, Chair of the two Community Liaison Groups north of the river Thames, said: “I am pleased to have been appointed to chair the two Community Liaison Groups north of the Thames. Having followed the Lower Thames Crossing proposals closely for many years, I am very conscious of the concerns of residents and businesses along the route.“The project is now moving forward, and these groups must provide a strong and effective voice for the communities affected by its construction. My role will be to ensure that National Highways is properly challenged and held to its commitments, that local concerns receive clear answers, and that every opportunity is taken to minimise disruption and secure the best possible mitigation for residents.”

Bob Lane, Chair of the Kent Community Liaison Group, said: “I am pleased that the Lower Thames Crossing is committed to working with local community representatives to help mitigate and minimise the impacts that a project of this scale will inevitably have on communities, not just in the immediate vicinity but throughout Gravesham and its surrounding areas.

“As Chairman of the Community Liaison Group south of the Thames, I will ensure that local community representatives are given the opportunity to raise valid concerns and to make constructive suggestions on how these can be addressed, and that the Lower Thames Crossing and its delivery partners take these into consideration in their plans and construction activities.”

The three groups reflect the route of the Lower Thames Crossing, with two north of the river Thames and one in Kent. In the north, one group will cover areas including East Tilbury, Linford, Chadwell St Mary and Little Thurrock Blackshots. The second will cover the area north of the A13 junction including Orsett, North Ockendon, Upminster and Brentwood. South of the river, the group will cover all the Lower Thames Crossing’s construction activity in Kent.

The groups plan to meet quarterly, with the first meetings taking place this summer. The group’s Terms of Reference and minutes from future meetings will be published on the project’s website.

The Lower Thames Crossing is a new road and tunnel that will double road capacity across the Thames and reduce congestion on the Dartford Crossing. It will create a reliable new link across the river and give local people more choice on where they live and work.

Work on the Lower Thames Crossing started earlier this year. Planning permission and the final part of public funding that will enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation of the new road was given in 2025.