The government’s £27 billion road building programme is facing delays and rising costs following opposition from environmental groups.
A report yesterday from the Office of Rail and Road said major road schemes were running up to a year behind schedule because of “planning issues”.
It said that three projects, including the Lower Thames Crossing — a new motorway tunnel connecting Kent and Essex — had been delayed so far, with a risk that others will follow over the next four years. The controversial scheme to widen the A303 and place it in a tunnel near Stonehenge could also be delayed because of an ongoing High Court challenge.
The report said delays to the road building programme could mean many upgrades have to take place at
