As a 14,5-mile scheme, the Lower Thames Crossing project comprises of 2 bored tunnels beneath the River Thames with interconnecting link roads to the M25, A13 and A2. At 16 metres in diameter, the tunnels will be some of the largest bored tunnels in the world. The crossing will feature 3 lanes in both directions with a maximum speed limit of 70 mph the Lower Thames Crossing is the largest single road investment project in the UK since the M25 was completed more than 30 years ago. At 2,4 miles, each tunnel will be the longest in the country and we expect it to add 90 % extra capacity for customers crossing the River Thames east of London.
The North Portal site will be located on the North Shore of the Thames east of Tilbury B Power station and south of the Tilbury Loop Railway line. The North Portal structure and its approach ramp is to be constructed within a sizeable excavation. Approach roads to the North Portal construction continue at ground level north towards the proposed viaduct over the Tilbury Loop Railway.
Highways England would like to identify potential suppliers interested in receiving spoil arising from the North Portal and Tunnels excavation and its subsequent disposal. The scope of works will require the supplier to take delivery of spoil from the working area sited on the north bank of the Thames. It is important to note that Highways England will not be providing marine transport and the supplier would be required to provide transportation from the working area to its proposed disposal site.
Indicative quantities of inert spoil arising from the North Portal and Tunnels is circa 2 000 000 cubic metres (noting that spoil from the tunnelling activity will be in a post treated state). Inert spoil management strategy is vital to the success of the Lower Thames Crossing Tunnels contract. Early mitigation of project risk around the spoil disposal activity is attractive and is being explored now.
The works are to be undertaken in accordance with the constraints of a future development consent order (DCO). The proposed DCO submission will seek to minimise the environmental impact (including the carbon footprint) of the spoil disposal activity, therefore, the movement of spoil by heavy goods vehicles (HGV) on local roads and the strategic road network (SRN) are likely to be heavily constrained within the DCO application. The proposed DCO application will also need to consider the environmental impact of disposal by marine transport.
Commencement of spoil receipt and disposal services is anticipated for the start of 2023 and will have a duration of circa 3 years.
Highways England intends to use an eSourcing portal (Bravo) to communicate, please register on the portal in order to be involved.
