New Lower Thames Crossing route between Kent and Essex announced

A new route for a Lower Thames Crossing which aims to reduce the burden on the busy Dartford Crossing has been revealed.

The preferred route for a new Lower Thames Crossing that is expected to reduce congestion, create more than 6,000 jobs and boost the economy by more than £8 billion.

The new crossing will create a new link between the A2 and the M25 and is expected to carry 4.5 million heavy goods vehicles in its first year.

The planned route will run from the M25 near North Ockendon, cross the A13 at Orsett before crossing under the Thames east of Tilbury and Gravesend.

A new link road will then take traffic to the A2 near Shorne, close to where the route becomes the M2.

This route was identified by the majority of nearly 47,000 respondents to a consultation on a new Lower Thames Crossing as the best solution for reducing traffic and congestion at the Dartford Crossing and for boosting the economy by improving links to London and the Channel ports.

A further £10 million will be used to improve traffic flow at and around the existing crossing as well as studying ways to further tackle congestion.