Support still strong for Thames crossing
Businesses want to see the delays over the building of the Lower Thames Crossing resolved amid expectation a planning application for the £8.2billion project will be submitted soon.
The findings come after research conducted by the Federation of Small Businesses into what will be the country’s largest road scheme since the M25 was built 35 years ago.
Planning permission for the project was delayed in November, when Highways England pulled its submission at the last moment.
It has since revised the plans and the expectation is it will be submitted to the government during April.
The FSB quizzed more than 140 of its members in Kent, London and Essex on their hopes for the crossing.
Some 57% of respondents think the crossing will help their business grow. The top three benefits the project could bring small firms were cited as better access to new customers (79%); better access to transport hubs (55%) and better access to new markets (49%).
Tracey Westell, FSB Kent area leader, said: “Despite our movements being restricted in 2020 due to the national lockdowns, many members still support the Lower Thames Crossing and want to see more work, more quickly. “The survey results also show a great desire in local firms who want to pitch for contract and supply chain opportunities in this billion pound scheme.”
Highways England has created an SME Directory for firms keen to know what opportunities will exist during the construction phase.
So far, 280 firms have signed up to have their details passed on to the main contractors of the scheme.