£4.4bn Thames tunnel would unlock £8bn in economic benefit, says Highways England

The Government's go-ahead for a new £4.4bn Thames crossing east of Gravesend in Kent would "dramatically increase capacity for traffic crossing the river east of London," with "more than £8bn benefit," according to Highways England.

The new crossing is designed to ease pressure onthe Dartford Crossing and would be linked to the road network by a new road northof the river, which would join the M25 between junctions 29 and30, and a new road south ofthe river, joining the A2 east of Gravesend. Highways England chief executive Jim O'Sullivan emphasised the economic benefits as well as the improvements to journeys he said would result.

He said the decision was underpinned by "years of studies, assessments and careful consideration of the record-breaking response to our 2016 consultation"