Work begins on land for Lower Thames Crossing

Early work to prepare parts of Essex and Kent for the new £10bn Lower Thames Crossing has begun.

A team of 50 archaeologists have been excavating at Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury to determine what foundations and structure would be needed for the route.

Compounds have also been set-up in the town and near Gravesend to store machinery, equipment and materials.

National Highways said the project would improve congestion at the Dartford Crossing when it opened in "the early to mid-2030s".

The 14.5-mile (23km) road would link Essex and Kent, with 2.6 miles (4.2km) running via two tunnels underneath the River Thames.

Major construction and tunnelling was due to begin in 2028.

National Highways said on Thursday it had started work to prepare landscapes across both counties for the scheme.

Project delivery director Shaun Pidcock said: "There's now real progress to be seen, as we start getting the area ready for the new road and tunnel to be built."

At Coalhouse Fort, ground investigations have been carried out to better understand the soil, rock and ground water in the area.

Work to turn scrubland into a wetland for migratory and wading birds, as well as habitats for water voles and newts, would begin there later this spring.

Meanwhile east of Thong, near Gravesend in Kent, new habitats with ponds, trees and hedgerows were being created.

National Highways said archaeologists would soon begin digs in the same area, near the southern tunnel entrance.

"Our low-carbon approach to construction means the Lower Thames Crossing will be Britain's greenest road and create local jobs and new skills," Pidcock added.

The project was approved by the government in March 2025 and efforts were being made to secure private investment for it.

The BBC revealed in December that National Highways had spent more than £50m purchasing properties affected by the crossing route.

Some residents have complained about their lives being upended, while campaigners have shared fears of ancient woodland being damaged.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves previously said she wanted the project to work "for the people who are hosting this infrastructure".

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