2021 Report details for project: Lower Thames Crossing
| Project name | Lower Thames Crossing - there are 8 reports for this project: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Google search | Google search on project name (opens in new window)  |
| Contracts | Contracts search (opens in new window) - under development |
| Organisation | DFT (D9) - see all reports for this organisation |
| Report year | 2021 (data is from March 2021) |
| Category | Infrastructure - see all reports for this category |
| Description: | The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is a proposed new expressway connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex through twin bored tunnels under the Thames. It will almost double the road capacity across the River Thames east of London and is the largest single road investment project in the UK since the M25 was completed more than 30 years ago. As a vital part of the UK's transport infrastructure, it will act as a catalyst for national and local economic growth. Building a reliable, modern new road that is fit for the future will help connect the nation's busiest ports to the distribution hubs in the North, Midlands and beyond. It will improve network resilience and the performance of the existing crossings at Dartford, transforming the regional and national road network. LTC will open up new markets for businesses and create tens of thousands of new jobs and hundreds of apprenticeships during its construction. |
| DCA (RAG) | Amber |
| DCA text: | Compared to financial year 19/20-Q2, the Infrastructure Project Authority's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating remained at Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors: Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) continues to progress well on several fronts. The three tenderers for the Tunnels contract have been announced and contract notices issued for the two Roads contracts. The programme has successfully transitioned to a separate Highways England Directorate, with its Executive Director reporting directly to the Chief Executive. A strengthened Client Team has been established with all senior roles in place. An Integration Partner to support the Programme has been appointed and is currently mobilising. Following advice from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), the Development Consent Order (DCO) application was withdrawn. There has been significant engagement with key stakeholders including affected local authorities. A further Public Consultation will commence in Summer with DCO resubmission in late 2021. The cost and schedule impact of the withdrawal will be finalised during the summer. Following an Assurance Action Plan Review the IPA improved its DCA to Amber, which, while reflecting the programme's progress, notes the current DCO position. |
| Start date | 2014-05-30 |
| End date | 2029-05-31 |
| Schedule text | Compared to financial year 19/20-Q2, the project's end-date increased from 31 July 2028 to 31 May 2029 This is primarily due to the following factors: A rebaseline exercise was undertaken which was fully externally assured. The project was requested by the Major Projects Review Group (MPRG) and DfT to rebaseline without the constraint of a defined completion date. This aligns with the 'Lessons from transport for the sponsorship of major projects' (2019) which recommends that an evidenced range should be used rather than a single target date. The cost and schedule impact of the withdrawal will be finalised during the summer. |
| Baseline | £245.00m |
| Forecast | £246.30m |
| Variance | 1.00% |
| Variance text: | The budget variance is less than or equal to 5%. |
| Whole Life Cost | £6,391.04m |
| WLCost text: | Compared to financial year 19/20-Q2, the projects Baseline Whole Life Cost increased from £5692.07m to £6391.04m. This is primarily due to the following factors: The baseline cost increase reflects the maturing and further development of both the design and the associated costs partly driven by the results of ground investigation. These changes include the need to further mitigate the adverse environmental impacts, most noticeably moving the southern portal to negate risk to the internationally protected wetland south of the River Thames and an increased land requirement. There was also a re-evaluation of the costs of moving nationally significant infrastructure including high pressure gas mains, high voltage power lines and global banking data lines. A number of independent reviews were undertaken to assure the updated baseline cost. |
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| Sourcefile | IPA_2021.csv |
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