We are pleased to announce that, in partnership with Highways England, we have appointed international consultancy and construction company, Mace, to look at how local stakeholders and businesses can take full advantage of the opportunities brought by the proposed Lower Thames Crossing.
Mace will be starting their research and stakeholder engagement work later this month, with a view to creating a clear ‘call to action’ report that sets out the benefits of the Lower Thames Crossing project for communities, businesses and government across the Estuary region. Crucially, Mace will present recommendations and examples of actions that will further enhance the benefits of the project.
Kate Willard OBE, Estuary Envoy said: “I am delighted that Mace has been appointed to look at how we can work together to stretch and go beyond the current benefits of this major project. Mace is brilliantly placed to identify ways we can take full advantage of the Lower Thames Crossing for the Estuary residents, business and environment. We want fresh, exciting, sound thinking, and I am looking forward to their findings.”
Matt Palmer, Executive Director for Lower Thames Crossing at Highways England said: “The benefits of the Lower Thames Crossing are clear – as well as making journeys easier and supporting 22,000 jobs during its construction, the crossing will open up a new world of opportunity to those living, working and running businesses in the region. I welcome the appointment of Mace and I look forward to the findings of the study so that we can further maximise the benefits of the Lower Thames Crossing.”
Jason Millett, CEO for Consultancy, Mace, said: “At Mace, we are clear that major infrastructure projects must be planned and progressed with long-term value and outcomes in mind if they are to achieve their full potential. This commission provides us with a perfect opportunity to put that belief into practice, and we’re excited to be helping the Thames Estuary Growth Board and Highways England find ways to maximise the benefits of this transformational infrastructure project for as many people as possible.”
Part of our mission at the Thames Estuary Growth Board is to look at major projects planned across the Thames Estuary region and work with our partners to make them even better for local people, businesses and the environment.
The Thames Estuary is Britain’s biggest growth opportunity, with the potential to create 1.3 million jobs and add £190 billion to the UK economy. We have a mandate to catalyse and generate good, green growth across the Estuary, and our ‘Green Blue’ action plan sets out our ambitions to fulfil the region’s enormous potential.
The Lower Thames Crossing project has the potential to bring about positive change for the region. This study, jointly commissioned with Highways England, will look at the transformative effects the Lower Thames Crossing will bring to our local communities and businesses, as well as the wider South East region and the UK as a whole.
Find out about jobs working on the Lower Thames Crossing project.
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