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| Lower Thames Crossing plan for Essex and Kent is approved | Lower Thames Crossing plan for Essex and Kent is approved |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The tunnels will be located to the east of Gravesend in Kent, and to the west of East Tilbury in Essex | The tunnels will be located to the east of Gravesend in Kent, and to the west of East Tilbury in Essex |
| The largest road tunnel in the UK will be built after a £9bn plan was approved by the government. | The largest road tunnel in the UK will be built after a £9bn plan was approved by the government. |
| The Lower Thames Crossing would link Tilbury, Essex, and Gravesend in Kent by two tunnels running underneath the River Thames. | The Lower Thames Crossing would link Tilbury, Essex, and Gravesend in Kent by two tunnels running underneath the River Thames. |
| National Highways hoped the road would reduce traffic at the Dartford Crossing by 20% and open by 2032. | National Highways hoped the road would reduce traffic at the Dartford Crossing by 20% and open by 2032. |
| Jim Dickson, the Labour MP for Dartford, said the decision would "finally deliver a solution to the traffic chaos" faced by motorists. | Jim Dickson, the Labour MP for Dartford, said the decision would "finally deliver a solution to the traffic chaos" faced by motorists. |
| The 14.5-mile (23km) road would link the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Thurrock. | The 14.5-mile (23km) road would link the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Thurrock. |
| About 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the route would be underground, with a northbound and a southbound tunnel running next to each other beneath the Thames. | About 2.6 miles (4.2km) of the route would be underground, with a northbound and a southbound tunnel running next to each other beneath the Thames. |
| Tuesday's announcement was 16 years in the making, with the project first mooted in 2009 and more than £1.2bn in taxpayers' money spent on planning since. | Tuesday's announcement was 16 years in the making, with the project first mooted in 2009 and more than £1.2bn in taxpayers' money spent on planning since. |
| The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by National Highways on 31 October 2022. | The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by National Highways on 31 October 2022. |
| A recommendation for its approval was subsequently made to Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander on 20 March. | A recommendation for its approval was subsequently made to Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander on 20 March. |
| National Highways has planned to begin construction in 2026. | National Highways has planned to begin construction in 2026. |
| Dickson said: "For far too long governments have dodged making a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing, leaving Dartford residents to endure endless gridlock. | Dickson said: "For far too long governments have dodged making a decision on the Lower Thames Crossing, leaving Dartford residents to endure endless gridlock. |
| "This decision will unlock economic growth across the country and finally deliver a solution to the traffic chaos faced by my constituents on a daily basis." | "This decision will unlock economic growth across the country and finally deliver a solution to the traffic chaos faced by my constituents on a daily basis." |
| The government has said it will work with the private sector to fund the project | The government has said it will work with the private sector to fund the project |
| The BBC understands the decision on the funding model has not been made yet, but the utility works would be publicly funded, alongside significant private sector finance. | |
| Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in January that the private sector could help "to deliver the infrastructure that our country desperately needs". | Chancellor Rachel Reeves said in January that the private sector could help "to deliver the infrastructure that our country desperately needs". |
| 'Quicker, safer and more reliable' | 'Quicker, safer and more reliable' |
| Reacting to the announcement on X, James McMurdock, the South Basildon and East Thurrock MP, said congestion in Kent would remain "unresolved" despite the project. | Reacting to the announcement on X, James McMurdock, the South Basildon and East Thurrock MP, said congestion in Kent would remain "unresolved" despite the project. |
| The Reform UK MP feared miles of countryside would be "covered with tarmac" adding: "Where has our pride and ambition gone?" | The Reform UK MP feared miles of countryside would be "covered with tarmac" adding: "Where has our pride and ambition gone?" |
| Campaigners have also raised concerns about ancient woodland being impacted by the works. | Campaigners have also raised concerns about ancient woodland being impacted by the works. |
| Chris Todd, the director of Transport Action Network, said the decision was "absolute madness". | Chris Todd, the director of Transport Action Network, said the decision was "absolute madness". |
| He added: "The only way that the government can afford this white elephant would be to take money from all the other nations and regions in the UK. | He added: "The only way that the government can afford this white elephant would be to take money from all the other nations and regions in the UK. |
| "Rather than boosting growth, this will clog up roads in the south east and slow the economy down even more." | "Rather than boosting growth, this will clog up roads in the south east and slow the economy down even more." |
| Gareth Bacon, the Conservative shadow secretary of state for transport, welcomed the project's approval. | Gareth Bacon, the Conservative shadow secretary of state for transport, welcomed the project's approval. |
| "The devil will be in the detail, not least on how this project is to be funded," he said. | "The devil will be in the detail, not least on how this project is to be funded," he said. |
| The Lib Dem MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin, added: "The announcement today must not come at the expense of other vital transport infrastructure in the area - including for rail connections between Kent and Essex." | The Lib Dem MP for Tunbridge Wells, Mike Martin, added: "The announcement today must not come at the expense of other vital transport infrastructure in the area - including for rail connections between Kent and Essex." |
| National Highways has described the project as "the most significant road project in a generation". | National Highways has described the project as "the most significant road project in a generation". |
| Executive director Matt Palmer added: "It will unlock growth with quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys. | Executive director Matt Palmer added: "It will unlock growth with quicker, safer, and more reliable journeys. |
| "Our plans have been shaped by the local community and refined by robust and rigorous examination from independent experts." | "Our plans have been shaped by the local community and refined by robust and rigorous examination from independent experts." |
| Listen: Lower Thames Crossing plans are approved | Listen: Lower Thames Crossing plans are approved |