UK’s largest ever road tunnel set to be built after £8.3bn plan approved

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The UK’s largest road tunnel will be built after a £ 8.3bn plan gave the government the lead.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved an application for the consent order by national highways for the intersection of 14.5 miles between Kent and Essex, the planning inspectorate said Tuesday.

In what was described by National Highways as ‘the most important road project in a generation’, the intersection will include a 2.6 -mile tunnel below the Thames, which would be the UK’s longest road tunnel.

The work on the project has been underway since 2009, and more than £ 800m in taxpayer money has been spent on planning.

The new highway style road connecting the A2 and M2 in Kent with the A13 and M25 in Essex is aimed at reducing the congestion on the Dartford intersection by doubling road capacity across Thames east of London.

The proposed route of the bottom Thames intersection (Pa graphics)

National Highways said the government is currently investigating private financing options for the project.

Construction could begin next year, with the new road expected to open in the early 2030s.

Matt Palmer, executive director of the National Highways for the Lower Thames Crossing, described it as “one of the most important infrastructure projects in the UK”.

He said: “It will unlock growth with faster, safer and more reliable journeys, and incorporate the blueprint for building large projects in a net zero-future by drawing up the use of low-carbon construction and leaving a legacy of green spaces, green skills.

“Our plans have been formed by the local community and refined by robust and strict investigations from independent experts.”

Mr. Palmer said National Highways is committed to “working with our neighbors” to build the intersection in a way that provides them “opportunities to work and learn new skills while reducing the impact”.

He added: “We are ready and have our delivery partners on board, and today’s decision enables us to work with the government on funding and start the detailed planning that we can start with the construction as soon as possible.”

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