23 January 2023
National Highways has today (23 January 2023) announced that Balfour Beatty has been
awarded the Roads North of the Thames contract on the proposed Lower Thames
Crossing project.
The start of construction is subject to the project being granted a Development Consent
Order and government’s final funding and investment decision.
The Lower Thames Crossing is a proposed new road between Kent and Essex through
the longest road tunnels in the UK, beneath the River Thames.
The Roads North of the Thames contract is a two-stage design and build contract
delivering around 10 miles of new road north of the Thames in Thurrock up to Junction
29 of the M25 in the London Borough of Havering, including a number of new link roads
and junctions to connect with the M25, A13 and A1089.
Katharina Ferguson, Lower Thames Crossing Procurement Director, said “Balfour
Beatty will bring the best of UK construction to bare on this project. They share our
commitment to driving carbon out of construction and maximise the benefits for local
communities.”
Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty, said: “The Lower Thames
Crossing is significant scheme – one that will stimulate local, regional and national
economic growth, create employment opportunities and new, sustainable methods of
construction for the future of our industry.
“Our deep domain knowledge and long-standing history in complex road construction,
acquired through many years of successful delivery on behalf of National Highways,
makes us ideally positioned to deliver this project to the highest standard.”
National Highways applied for a Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames
Crossing in 2022, and in 2023 the proposals for the new road will be thoroughly examined
by a panel of independent, government appointed experts.
EndsNOTES TO EDITORS
The Roads North of the Thames contract is valued around £1.2 billion, and comprises:
• Around 10 miles of new road
• 49 proposed new and/or upgraded structures, embankments, cuttings and retaining
walls, under bridges to take the route through the A13 and to join the M25
• Viaducts at Tilbury over Cole’s Reservoirs and at Mardyke across flood plain
• Connecting the new road to the M25 at Junction 29
• The diversion of utilities including gas mains and electric cables and towers
• Ecological works for species protection and habitat enhancement along the route
• Archaeology carefully and sensitively excavated and recorded
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising,
maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.