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Almost half of our workforce will be from within 20-miles of the project!
 

Welcome to the November 2022 Lower Thames Crossing supply chain newsletter. This issue brings you:

 

  • An update of our application for a Development Consent Order
  • Reflections from our first Meet the Bidder events with local suppliers and future Delivery Partners
  • News about our Skills, Education and Employment strategy and opportunities for local people and businesses
  • A link to the Federation for Small Businesses’ awards to nominate your company 
 

Application submitted

National Highways submitted its application for a Development Consent Order on Monday 31 October for the Lower Thames Crossing to the Planning Inspectorate, who will now consider if the application will be taken forward to the next stage of the planning process.

 

The Planning Inspectorate now has 28 days to decide whether the application is accepted for examination. If accepted, the proposals will move into the next stage in the planning process and we’ll be getting ready for the public examination of our proposals.

 

Efforts to build relationships with future supply chain partners, including local and SME businesses, will continue during all stages of the development consent order process.

 

Find more information about the process.
 

Meet the bidder

Championing local businesses is a priority for the Lower Thames Crossing project, with an ambition to spend £1 in every £3 of the construction budget with small to medium size enterprises (SMEs). 

 

We held our first Meet the Bidder events at the end of September as part of this ambition, to provide local businesses with the opportunity to meet future Delivery Partners currently bidding for one of our three main works contract and our Executive team.

 

The two events, one north and one south of the river, helped local suppliers learn more about the project and its ambitious plans to be the greenest road ever built in the UK. 

 

We need a huge range of businesses to help us, and it's not too late to get involved - sign up to our Supply Chain Directory now to register your interest, and to receive our newsletter and notifications about future events.

 

Watch more about the event and project’s ambitions from our Procurement Programme Directory.
 

Carbon academy

A digital carbon academy has been established as part of our new Skills, Education and Employment Strategy to help develop the green skills needed to deliver our pathfinder ambitions and become a world-leader in low carbon construction.

 

Everyone who works on the Lower Thames Crossing will be enrolled in the Carbon Academy, undertake a core programme of learning, and be given access to a library of resources that will be updated as new lessons and innovations are identified. We will also work with industry professionals and local education and training providers to develop specialist training in a range of professions and trades. 

 

As the strategy sets out our objective to recruit 45% of employees from within 20-miles of the project, we can help local people and businesses be at the forefront of a new green economy and secure long-term careers in a net zero future.
 

Free sustainability webinar with BEBA

We recently made a pledge to the Brentwood Environmental Business Alliance (BEBA) to help tackle the challenges faced by climate change with Brentwood Borough Council and local businesses. 


BEBA have developed a series of carbon awareness webinars to support local businesses on their journey to becoming net zero, and we have been contributing to these webinars as part of our pledge. 


The sixth and last webinar – Beyond Carbon – is this Friday, 11 November at 12pm to 1pm and will cover some of the wider considerations when thinking about the sustainability aspects of businesses. 


Register for the webinar to listen to the BEBA and Lower Thames Crossing specialists. 


Watch recording of the first five webinars.
 

Free Supply Chain Sustainability School workshops

The next free Supply Chain Sustainability School workshops is ready for you. Join these sessions to build the skills and knowledge you’ll need in order to work on the Lower Thames Crossing.

 

Understanding & Measuring Social Value on Wednesday 7th December, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM

 

This session provides suppliers and contractors with foundational training for Social Value, enabling suppliers and contractors to understand the need to develop a clear and consistent approach to social value through the supply chain.

 

See the full list of workshops available on the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s website. There are more to come in 2023.
 

Celebrating small businesses

Our partners, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), are celebrating the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK. 

 

As the largest event of its kind in the small business calendar, the high-profile FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are free to enter and open to all – members and non-members alike.

 

Local businesses in Essex and Kent can enter for the South East area final for the chance to go through to the UK Final.

 

The deadline for South East entries is Thursday 9 February. Find out more.
 

Know of other suppliers that might be interested in working with the Lower Thames Crossing?

 

Encourage them to join our community and sign-up to the Supply Chain Directory to receive up-to-date information on the project.

 

With kind regards

Katharina Ferguson

Head of Procurement, Lower Thames Crossing

 
 

You can find out more about the Lower Thames Crossing on:

Phone: 0300 123 5000 (local rate call)

Email: info@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk

Website: lowerthamescrossing.co.uk

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