Essex & Kent - Material Change Consultation For The A122 Lower Thames Crossing Development Consent Order

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

Section 153 Of The Planning Act 2008 - Regulation 14 Of The Infrastructure Planning (Changes To, And Revocation Of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 (As Amended) - Notice To Make An Application For A Material Change To The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/462)

Notice is hereby given that National Highways Ltd ("National Highways") of Three Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GA is considering making an application to the Secretary of State for Transport under Regulation 16 of the Infrastructure Planning (Changes to, and Revocation of, Development Consent Orders) Regulations 2011 (as amended) for a material change to the made Development Consent Order (DCO) for the A122 Lower Thames Crossing.

The A122 Lower Thames Crossing is a new highway crossing of the River Thames between the A2 and M2 in Kent and the M25 south of junction 29 in Essex, crossing under the River Thames through a tunnel. The new road, the A122, will be approximately 23km long, 4.25km of which will be in tunnel.

The DCO for the A122 Lower Thames Crossing was granted by the Secretary of State for Transport on 25 March 2025 and formally made on 15 April 2025.

The material change to the DCO that National Highways is considering would remove the requirement for a speed limit reduction on the M25 between junctions 26 and 27. This measure was included in the DCO as mitigation against the predicted environmental effects from increased traffic volumes on the M25 once the new road is operational.

The material change, if submitted, would compensate for environmental effects through the proposed acquisition of an interest in an area of existing agricultural land and the creation of new enhanced ecological habitats nearby. The proposed land for acquisition is located south of the M25 between junctions 26 and 27, and north-west of the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This would compensate for the predicted adverse effects on SAC habitats.

This notice contains a summary of the consultation details. Further information about the proposals, including plans and a description of the affected land, together with an online response form, is available at:

nationalhighways.citizenspace.com/ltc/material-change-consultation

The above website can also be accessed by scanning the QR code:

Printed copies of the consultation brochure and response form will be available at the deposit location listed below. The deposit location and website will be active during the consultation period, from Tuesday 30 June to Tuesday 28 July 2026.

The A122 Lower Thames Crossing is an Environmental Impact Assessment development, as defined by the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, which means an addendum to the Environmental Statement (ES) would be submitted as part of the material change application, which if pursued could be submitted later in 2026. This addendum would highlight the changes to the ES conclusions as a result of not implementing the speed limit reduction and due to the additional land requirements to compensate for the adverse effect on the Epping Forest SAC.

How To Respond To The Consultation
The consultation opens on Tuesday 30 June 2026 and closes on Tuesday 28 July 2026.

Consultation feedback can be submitted by:
- Filling in the online response form at: nationalhighways.citizenspace.com/ltc/material-change-consultation

- Sending comments to: consultationresponses@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk 

- Posting printed response forms or letters to: Material Change Consultation, Lower Thames Crossing, Pilgrims Lane, Chafford Hundred, RM16 5UZ.

Consultation responses must be submitted by 11:59pm on Tuesday 28 July 2026. Feedback received after the close of the consultation period may not be considered.

Deposit Location
Printed copies of the consultation brochure and response form will be available to view and take away free of charge from Waltham Abbey Library during the consultation period between Tuesday 30 June and Tuesday 28 July 2026. The library address and opening hours are included below.

Waltham Abbey Library, 37 Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1EL

Monday, 9:00am to 5:30pm
Tuesday, 9:00am to 5:30pm
Wednesday, 9:00am to 1:00pm
Thursday, closed
Friday, 9:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, closed

More Information
Printed copies of the consultation brochure and response form will be available on request free of charge during the consultation period.

If you would like a brochure and response form sent to you, or you have a question about the material change proposals, please contact National Highways using the details below:

Email: info@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk 

Phone: 0300 123 5000 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm)

‘FOR FULL NOTICE, DOWNLOAD THE NOTICE (pdf format) SHOWN AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.’