Jaw-dropping £9BILLION plan for UK's longest motorway tunnel that will cut journey times in half is unveiled in pics

The Sun

22-07-2025

NEW images have been released by National Highways highlighting how the upcoming Lower Thames Crossing could look in a few years.
The UK government is planning to build the huge, motorway-style tunnel in a project that would cost some £9 billion.
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The Lower Thames Crossing
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The Lower Thames Crossing includes 14.3 miles of new road and Britain's longest road tunnel, a 2.6-mile twin-bore tunnel beneath the River Thames.
It would link the town of Tilbury in Essex to Medway in Kent, would also be connected to the A2 and M2 in Kent, as well as the A13 and M25 in Essex.
It would also provide transp o rt links between London and crossings to Dover - which, of course, account for half of the goods traded between Britain and mainland Europe.
First planned back in 2009, the Lower Thames Crossing would reportedly see 13 million vehicles redirected away from the heavily congested Dartford Crossing.
It's been estimated that the costs of lost productivity from congestion on the Dartford Crossing have exceeded £200million each year, with the route disproportionately used by freight vehicles transporting goods.
More Green Space
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The project will create six times more green space than road, including one million new trees, a new community woodland, two new public parks, and seven green bridges.
These will blend the road into the landscape and connect local communities to the countryside.
The building of the Lower Thames Crossing would also have a positive impact on motorists; journey times at the Dartford Crossing would likely improve by around 30% and increase to 46% between Kent and Essex.
It's also estimated that it would inject around £40bn into the UK economy.
Natalie Chapman, Head of Public Affairs for Logistics UK, said: 'As soon as this road opens, people will start to feel the benefits.
Moment OAP zooms the wrong way on the M55
'In the short term, it will create jobs in construction and supply and it has the potential to unlock growth and inward investment on both sides of the crossing.'
Road Haulage Association managing director Richard Smith also said Reeves' endorsement of the project was 'a major victory for our sector' that has the potential to 'turbocharge the economy'.
New Images
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A new set of images has been released by National Highways showing how this innovative approach is transforming how the road will look and feel.
The project will use 'low carbon footbridges' to eliminate 'the need for concrete and minimises the use of steel'.
It will feature seven new green bridges – more than doubling the number currently in Britain – including Europe's widest.
A National Highways spokesperson said: "These crossings will make it easier and safer for both people and wildlife to move through green spaces."
There will also be pre-fabricated bridges built in an offsite facility using low-carbon methods.
These bridges are set to be quicker and easier to install on site. This approach aims to reduce disruption to local communities, traffic and the environment reports Kent Live.
Most of the route will be in a tunnel or hidden behind landscaped embankments and mounds, helping it blend into the countryside and green spaces.
The use of gantries will reduce steel and concrete to help cut carbon, while maintaining strength and durability, helping build a more sustainable Lower Thames Crossing.
The project was given planning permission by the government in March following years of consultation and design development.
The images will be showcased at a series of community events across Kent, Essex and Havering starting on Wednesday (June 11).
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