Lower Thames Crossing have invited shortlisted bidders to tender for the £1.9 billion contracts to build the project’s roads, green bridges, parks and woodlands.
In February the project was designated a pathfinder project to explore carbon neutral construction, and the project’s three main works contracts – worth around £4 billion in total – are designed to maximise the environmental and social value outcomes for the local community. Key elements of all these contracts include agreeing an ambitious low-carbon baseline and then incentivising on-going reduction; maximising the benefits for the local community such as jobs, apprenticeships, and new skills; and a focus on local suppliers and SMEs.
Kate Willard OBE, Thames Estuary Envoy and Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board said: “This is another important step for the project. I am thrilled that the team are taking every opportunity to make this the country’s leading carbon neutral infrastructure project. Embedding green thinking right through the supply chain from the start in the procurement process could blaze a trail for the industry, and I am delighted that this is starting in our region. The Lower Thames Crossing presents a great opportunity to increase connectivity across the river which will unlock growth in the Thames Estuary region and the UK as a whole.”
Katharina Ferguson, Programme Procurement Director, Lower Thames Crossing, said: “Our roads are at the heart of our way of life, and will continue to be long into our low-carbon future. The Lower Thames Crossing will improve journeys for millions of people, create opportunities for local people and businesses, as well as help the country on the road to net zero. We know the construction industry shares our ambitions, and I am incredibly excited to see how we can work together to set a new bar for low carbon construction and maximise the benefits to the local community.”
Find out more about the Lower Thames Crossing