Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of how long-term system risks, net present social value, and construction cost impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing will be distributed between road users, taxpayers, and private equity investors under the proposed licensing regime.

A robust assessment of private investment options has been undertaken for Lower Thames Crossing (LTC). This has included on the distribution of costs and risks between the different parties, as well as on longer term system risks and economic/ social benefits. The Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model has been chosen as it enables the private sector to deliver the scheme efficiently, reduces financial burden on taxpayers through enabling users to contribute to the costs, harnesses the benefits of private investment, and promotes the interests of users.