Highways England plans to issue a new prior information notice (PIN) for the Lower Thames Crossing project in January 2019, following confirmation that the project is still in development despite the British government's decision to scrap its Private Finance Initiative (PFI/PF2) scheme.

A PIN issued last year detailed plans to structure the project under the PF2 scheme, seeking a private partner to design, build, finance and maintain the crossing - a 14.5-mile six-lane (three in each direction) motorway running under the River Thames between Rochester and South Ockendon.

The project will now be entirely publicly funded. Highways England has already commenced market engagement and intends to launch procurement in 2020.