The spiralling cost of the Lower Thames Crossing has sparked fresh concerns, with the National Audit Office (NAO) announcing an investigation into the £11 billion road tunnel project between Kent and Essex. The planned probe follows persistent warnings from campaigners about the project's escalating costs, including a recent allocation of an additional £174 million in public funds.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, confirmed that his team will "examine and report" on the project, with teams already monitoring activity to inform the timing of a full audit. The move comes despite Ministers reiterating their commitment to pushing ahead with the scheme, which had been spared from proposed infrastructure cuts aimed at funding increased defence spending.
Concerns about the project's cost per mile have intensified in recent weeks, with estimates suggesting it could surpass that of the HS2 high-speed rail link. The government has committed £3.1 billion towards construction, with the remaining financing expected to come from the private sector.
Over £1 billion has already been spent on the project before any physical construction work has begun, prompting criticism about the lack of value for taxpayers' money. Labour ministers have highlighted the scheme as a prime example of why urgent planning reform is necessary for Britain's handling of large infrastructure initiatives.
The Lower Thames Crossing is now slated for completion in 2034, with a private consortium expected to operate both the new tunnel and the existing Dartford tunnel from 2029. However, campaigners are holding out hope that a change in political leadership could lead to a re-evaluation of using public funds to construct what will ultimately be a privately run asset.
Abby Coften, Chief Executive of Transport Action Network (TAN), welcomed the NAO's decision but urged for the investigation to be fast-tracked to prevent further public funds from being wasted. She highlighted concerns that the project is repeating mistakes seen with HS2, but with even higher costs per mile and a still-incomplete business case.