rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/dont-let-the-lower-thames-crossing-take-all-your-funding?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-dont-let-the-lower-thames-crossing-take-all-your-funding' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> Transport Action Network https://actionnetwork.org/groups/transport-action-network https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/letters/photos/000/399/782/normal/LTC_a_drain_on_UK_finances.jpg Another south east road will take your funding! On 25 March, the Labour government made a decision with huge ramifications for the rest of the country when it approved the construction of the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC). This scheme which could cost up to £16bn and even with private finance require £6-9bn of public funding, will suck money out of the other nations and regions in the UK to pay for this new ‘smart’ motorway in the south east. It might not be so bad if it would boost the economy, but it will be lucky to break even, while the relief it brings to the Dartford Crossing will be short lived – just 5 years after 7 years of construction chaos. It will increase carbon emission by over 6 million tonnes and undermine rail freight. A point effectively conceded by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander when she appeared in front of the Commons Transport Committee recently. This means that every nation and region will lose funding to pay for this road. A scheme that will make the climate crisis worse and put more HGVs on our roads, especially in the Midlands and the North. It comes with a huge opportunity cost. The money being spent on the LTC to make things worse, could be going into public transport in the rest of the country to make things better. As the recent re-opening of the Northumberland line has shown, public transport is incredibly popular, good for the economy and inclusive. Patronage has been five times initial expectations and that’s without all the stations open yet. Yet this sort of groundbreaking and economic boosting infrastructure is being held back by spending on roads, and in particular the LTC. So please write to your local MP, highlighting how funding for the LTC is a threat to public transport schemes in your area and ask them what they are going to do about it. With the spending review due for 11 June, their intervention now would be very timely. Many thanks! https://actionnetwork.org/letters/dont-let-the-lower-thames-crossing-take-all-your-funding