Construction is now set to start in 2026 on the Lower Thames Crossing after the government committed almost £900m to complete the publicly funded works on the project.

The money was announced in yesterday’s Budget and follows an announcement in June of a £590m funding boost from government for the transport scheme.

The Budget announcement said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is the largest roadbuilding project for a generation, and a key driver of growth, improving links between the Midlands, the North and key ports in the South-east, as well as improving the resilience of the overall road network.

“The government has committed a further £891m to complete the publicly-funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing, the final tranche of government support to enable the private sector to take forward construction and long-term operation.”

With work starting next  year, it puts the new road on track to open in the early 2030s.

Matt Palmer, executive director of the Lower Thames Crossing, said: "The funding from government gives us the green light to start building the Lower Thames Crossing next year and puts it on track to open in the early 2030s.

“The project will be built by local people and businesses and leave a legacy of jobs and skills across the region. It’s the first of a new generation of projects that will tackle congestion and drive economic growth, whilst redrawing the blueprint for low-carbon construction.”

The Lower Thames Crossing will be a new road crossing connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex. Approximately 14.5 miles (23km) in length, it will connect to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels (one southbound and one northbound) running beneath the River Thames. 

It will ease congestion at Dartford by almost doubling road capacity across the Thames east of London and make tens of millions of journeys quicker, safer and more reliable every year.

The government has described it as the “most significant road building project in a generation” and a “national priority”.