Tim Waggott, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: “Alongside the need to increase productivity and deliver transformation of the Thames Gateway regeneration area, the Lower Thames Crossing must be seen as a strategic investment to improve the resilience of UK-European trade flows. Failure to invest will choke this crucial pan-European business corridor within which the ports of Dover, London and Medway along with Eurotunnel operate and this will damage UK plc.
“The Port of Dover continues to handle record volumes of freight vehicle traffic with strong projected growth and no substitutable capacity elsewhere. The existing Dartford crossings are already a major bottleneck, operating at over capacity and acting as a break n national productivity.”
Delivery of the Lower Thames Crossing will be crucial as the nation seeks to build upon the success of the Southern powerhouse and support the building of the Northern and Midlands powerhouses, ensuring timely delivery of materials to and from the Continent. Half of the freight vehicle traffic passing through the Port of Dover is coming from or going to beyond London to the Midlands and North.
Mr Waggott added: “The Port of Dover is investing in infrastructure for the long term. We need the Government to do the same by following through with a firm strategic decision to be the builders of prosperity up and down the country through delivery of a new Lower Thames Crossing.”