THE sound of drilling has echoed around the Gravesham countryside as early work on the Lower Thames Crossing begins reports the Gravesend Reporter.
Six months on from the government’s announcement that a river crossing would go through Thurrock, Highways England engineers have begun provisional works for the £6 billion bored tunnel.
A Highways England spokesperson said: “We are drilling some test bore holes on the land of the preferred location of the Lower Thames Crossing. This is simply to test and analyse the land where the new crossing is proposed to be located.
“We understand that a major new infrastructure project on this scale can cause worry and concern, particularly about the effect it will have on homes, communities and the environment.
“We can assure people that work has not started yet.
“Detailed design on the preferred option is currently taking place and people will have another chance to have their say on the plans before construction work starts.”
The crossing is not expected to be complete until 2025 at the earliest.
