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At Kent Wildlife Trust, we recognise the importance of economic growth and the role of infrastructure development in achieving it. However, we firmly believe that economic growth and nature conservation are not mutually exclusive. Recent discussions have portrayed environmental protections as obstacles to development, but this perspective overlooks the fundamental role that healthy ecosystems play in sustaining long-term economic prosperity. For example, the proposed Lower Thames Crossing is a prime example of a project that prioritises short-term economic gain over long-term environmental sustainability. We urge policymakers to ensure that growth aligns with our commitments to biodiversity, climate action, and public health.
Biodiversity and Habitat Loss
- The Lower Thames Crossing will destroy up to 8 hectares of irreplaceable ancient woodland, including parts of Shorne and Ashenbank Woods, which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). To put this into perspective, 8 hectares is approximately 12 football pitches of lost habitat. Given that ancient woodland covers less than 2.5% of the UK's land, the loss of any amount is unacceptable.
- Priority Habitats such as coastal and floodplain grazing marsh, deciduous woodland, and hedgerows will also be lost, amounting to hundreds of hectares of habitat destruction. These areas provide essential homes for wildlife, including water voles, dormice, hedgehogs, bats, and numerous bird species.
- The mitigation measures proposed fall far short of what is required. The proposed “green bridges”, which are intended to help wildlife cross the road safely, are not dedicated wildlife corridors, but multi-use structures primarily designed for cars and the functionality of the road scheme. Ironically, their construction will contribute to habitat fragmentation and the loss of ancient woodland, further isolating wildlife populations rather than reconnecting them.
Climate and Carbon Concerns
- The Lower Thames Crossing will have the largest carbon footprint of any major UK road scheme, generating approximately 6.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. This will undoubtably defy all commitments to reach net zero by 2050.
- While National Highways have committed to reduce carbon emissions during the construction phase by using Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology, it does not address the longer-term operational emissions, which will still release significant amounts of greenhouse gasses and pollutants into the atmosphere. We remain unconvinced that the Lower Thames Crossing will be the “greenest road” as stated by National Highways, nor deliver any meaningful environmental benefits.
- Air quality will be further compromised due to increased nitrogen dioxide levels, particularly in areas that already exceed the UK’s legal limits for air pollution. Monitoring stations within the Order Limits and survey area for Lower Thames Crossing have recorded nitrogen dioxide levels as high as 60 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), well above the 40-microgram legal limit. This presents risks not only to the environment but also to public health.
A Flawed Approach to Transport
- Labour’s growth agenda should focus on sustainable transport solutions, yet the Lower Thames Crossing fails to deliver meaningful benefits. National Highways admits that it will only reduce congestion at the Dartford Crossing by approximately 20%. Extensive scientific evidence shows that new roads don’t ease congestion in the long-term but actively encourage more traffic – this is known as induced traffic demand, where new roads generate more demand, so more people choose to use them. Given this, the Lower Thames Crossing is not a sustainable solution to reduce congestion.
- The government should be investing in green transport infrastructure, such as improved rail and bus services, active travel networks, and smart congestion management, rather than environmentally destructive road projects.
A Call for a Nature-Positive Future
At Kent Wildlife Trust, we urge Labour and all political leaders to adopt a nature-first approach to infrastructure and economic development. True progress does not come at the expense of our natural world but instead works in harmony with it. As the UK faces an escalating climate and biodiversity crisis, the decisions made today will determine the health of our environment for generations to come.
The Lower Thames Crossing is a clear example of infrastructure planning that fails to align with the UK’s environmental commitments. This project contradicts the government’s legal obligations to halt species decline, protect 30% of land and sea by 2030, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Instead of safeguarding biodiversity, the project will destroy irreplaceable habitats, increase carbon emissions, and contribute to long-term environmental degradation. This is not the future we should be building.
A Better Way Forward
Growth and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. There is a better way – one that prioritises green transport solutions, restores natural landscapes, and supports both people and wildlife. Investing in public transport, active travel networks, and smart traffic management would not only help reduce congestion but would also significantly cut carbon emissions and protect our remaining wild spaces.
A truly nature-positive approach to infrastructure should:
- Integrate wildlife protection into planning from the outset, ensuring that irreplaceable habitats are avoided rather than sacrificed.
- Invest in public transport and green travel networks, reducing reliance on car travel and supporting healthier, more sustainable communities.
- Implement robust mitigation measures that go beyond token gestures, ensuring genuine biodiversity recovery rather than offsetting destruction with inadequate compensation.
- Recognise the value of nature not just for wildlife but for people, public health, and the long-term resilience of our economy.
Kent Wildlife Trust’s Commitment
Kent Wildlife Trust will continue to challenge developments that threaten our natural world and hold decision-makers to account. We will continue to work tirelessly to:
- Advocate for stronger legal protections for wildlife and habitats.
- Push for investment in sustainable infrastructure that supports both people and nature.
- Engage communities, businesses, and policymakers to create a future where economic growth works with nature, not against it.
The Lower Thames Crossing is a step in the wrong direction. We call on policymakers to strengthen mitigation measures, invest in genuine biodiversity recovery, and ensure that future infrastructure projects prioritise nature and sustainability. The UK’s long-term prosperity depends on a balanced approach, one where economic development works in harmony with nature, climate goals, and community well-being.