Drivers across the UK will see new roads being built "at pace" in the near future, including the Lower Thames Crossing, after the measures were confirmed during the King's Speech this morning.
From the House of Lords, King Charles outlined the financial, social and investment plans from Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Government.
At the start of the speech, King Charles acknowledged the "dangerous and volatile world" and how it could threaten the UK.
Alongside new measures for infrastructure projects, the King confirmed that roads would be "built at pace", including the Lower Thames Crossing.
The Lower Thames Crossing will connect Kent and Essex and aims to slash traffic rates that continue to impact the Dartford Crossing and roads near London.
Since opening more than 60 years ago, the Dartford Crossing has exploded in popularity, with congestion estimated to cost the UK more than £200million every year in time lost due to traffic.
While it was only designed to handle around 135,000 vehicles a day, it now averages 150,000 a day, which can increase further at certain busier times.
The Lower Thames Crossing will almost double the current road capacity across the Thames east of London and ease pressure on the Dartford Crossing.
The King's Speech confirmed that new measures would be introduced for the Lower Thames Crossing
| PAMajor construction and tunnelling will begin in 2028, while work to protect the area's utility supplies and wildlife will be carried out before then.
It follows the Government's decision to invest almost £900million to complete the publicly funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing.
The project will be taken forward on the basis of the Regulated Asset Base model, before formal market engagement will launch this year.
The funding will apply in 2027-28 and 2028-29, with National Highways estimating that the Lower Thames Crossing will open fully between 2032 and 2034.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The Lower Thames Crossing would connect to the A2 and M2 in Kent | NATIONAL HIGHWAYSThe 14.5-mile-long road will connect to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25 with two tunnels.
Schemes alongside the development of the Lower Thames Crossing will see improvements made to the M25, A2 and A13 to connect to the new road.
Shaun Pidcock, delivery director for the Lower Thames Crossing, said: "There's now real progress to be seen, as we start getting the area ready for the new road and tunnel to be built.
"Our low-carbon approach to construction means the Lower Thames Crossing will be Britain’s greenest road and create local jobs and new skills."
The Lower Thames Crossing road project is expected to cost around £11billion | NATIONAL HIGHWAYSNational Highways confirmed that teams working on the Lower Thames Crossing would begin diverting gas, water and electricity lines along the route later this year.
Around half of the workers set to build the Lower Thames Crossing will be recruited from within 20 miles of the project.
To further stimulate growth in the region, at least £1 of every £3 of the construction will be spent with small and medium enterprises.