The Lower Thames Crossing project is at an early stage of its development and the design will continue to evolve as the scheme progresses towards a Development Consent Order (DCO) submission. No decision has been made on the case, or otherwise, for a new link to the Port of Tilbury. A link from the crossing to Tilbury Port was not included in the April 2017 preferred route announcement and has not been considered formally by Ministers. There will be an opportunity for people and businesses to influence Highways England’s design of the scheme through a second public consultation, expected later this year. A final decision on the scope to be included in the DCO will be taken in 2019.