"Ministers have stripped the government's road-building agency of responsibility for a 10bn tunnel under the River Thames amid a drive by Keir Starmer's cabinet to take tight control over important infrastructure projects for fear of cost overruns and delays. Oversight of the Lower Thames Crossing the UK's largest planned infrastructure project has been taken away from National Highways, and handed to the Department for Transport (DfT)."
"However, campaigners warned that the move could in fact lead to HS2-levels of overspending and ministers quietly approving developments which would harm the environment behind closed doors. Treasury officials are thought to be behind the shift to centralise the management of large infrastructure projects after the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, made clear her frustration at bats and newts delaying major schemes and adding to the final costs."
Ministers removed National Highways' responsibility for a £10bn tunnel under the River Thames, assigning oversight to the Department for Transport. The DfT will oversee costs of the Lower Thames Crossing while National Highways will focus on managing, maintaining, and renewing the road network. Campaigners warned the change could produce HS2-level overspending and permit ministers to approve environmentally harmful developments with limited transparency. Treasury officials pushed to centralise large project management after the chancellor expressed frustration at wildlife-related delays and cost increases. The project is designated Tier 1 and will be overseen by the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander. Planning reforms aim to simplify building by reducing wildlife protections.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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