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The project will include a 3.8km longtunnel under the Thames between Gravesend and Tilbury – the longest road tunnelin the UK – and, at over 15m wide, the third largest bored tunnel in the world. Transport secretary Chris Grayling said:“We are making the biggest investment in improving our roads since the 1970s,ensuring journeys are quicker and safer. “The Lower Thames Crossing will helptransform journeys, create new business opportunities in Kent and Essex andunlock productivity across the UK. “It will also cut congestion at theDartford Crossing and improve connectivity from our industrial heartland to ourports in the South East.” Lower Thames Crossing project directorTim Jones said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious projectof its kind ever in the UK and the biggest single road upgrade since the M25was completed more than 30 years ago.” He added: “We have not done this inisolation over the last 18 months. We have worked very closely with interestgroups, resident groups, action groups, stakeholders, local authorities and allthe big statutory environmental bodies.” Jones also stressed that HighwaysEngland had worked hard with businesses to ensure they understood the plans. In a previous consultation on theproposals 47,000 people had their say in what was a record response total for aUK road scheme. A new consultation period on the latest designs for theimprovements begins today and will run for ten weeks until December 20. Jones has predicted the number ofresponses to the ten-week consultation to be “in the thousands”. Approximately 25 public informationevents are set to be held across Kent and Essex, as well as 30 visits to localcommunities where people will be able to put any questions directly to theproject team. 3. Hydrogen car test on M25 deemed a 'success' Highwaysmaintenance firm Connect Plus Services has teamed up with Toyota tosuccessfully trial a hydrogen fuel-cell car on the M25. Daily motorwaysafety inspections were carried out during a two-week trial of the Toyota Miraivehicle in September. If the trialresults are considered positive, it is expected that Connect Plus Services willuse the hydrogen-fuel vehicles across its fleet of 12 cars that carry outmotorway safety inspections on the strategic road network. Hydrogen carsoffer savings in the form of reduced fuel costs, and leave less of anenvironmental footprint than petrol and diesel fuelled cars. The only wasteproduct produced by driving the cars is water. The fuel-cell technology in thevehicles converts pressurised hydrogen gas, stored in built-in tanks, intoenergy that powers an electric motor. Connect PlusServices managing director Brian Johns said: “We are delighted to havetrialled the hydrogen powered Toyota Mirai on our network. This is a primeexample of how we are embracing new technology to deliver our contract to thehighest standard. “Throughcontinuous innovation, we are committed to developing cost effective andenvironmentally friendly solutions to drive the network forward and createbetter journeys for the travelling public.” Toyota alternativefuels manager Jon Hunt added: “We are delighted to support this trial todemonstrate that the Mirai, with a quick refill time and long range is ano-compromise zero emission solution.” News of the trialfollows claimsearlier thisyear from train manufacturer Alstom that hydrogen-powered trains could beoperating in the UK in as little as “three to four years”. The trainmanufacturer confirmed plans to bring the technology to the UK and announcedthat it was already working with Eversholt Rail to convert Class 321 electric trains byfitting hydrogen tanks and fuel cells to “upcycle” the trains. Alstom announcedthe move in response to the UK government’s plansto removediesel rolling stock by 2040. |
