Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when the decision by Highways England to remove the Tilbury link road from the Lower Thames Crossing scheme was made; and on what basis that decision was made.

A link from the crossing to Tilbury port was not included in the April 2017 preferred route announcement and has not been considered formally by Ministers. This proposal was developed by Highways England, a government owned company, and was included in the project’s design update in November 2017. These updates are designed to assist transparency and informed debate about the project. They reflect Highways England’s latest thinking, rather than a definitive view on the project’s ultimate design.

At this time, no decision has been made on the case or otherwise for a new link to the port of Tilbury.

There will be a further opportunity for people to have their say on the proposals through a second public consultation in Autumn 2018. An open and transparent consultation process will be undertaken, giving everyone, especially the local community, the opportunity to influence the design of the proposed scheme.