A new video showing the proposed Lower Thames Crossing has been released.

Highways England has launched a new public consultation today on its plans to build a tunnel under the River Thames to connect south Essex with Kent.

The eight-week consultation gives the public the opportunity to have their say on the project and its impact on the community and environment. Highways England says changes have been made to the project since the last consultation in 2020.

The changes have been published in a new online document which is available via a website which also features new images of the proposed road, three new fly-throughs showing it before, during and after construction, and an updated interactive map.

The documents include details of:

• Better access to existing jobs for Gravesham, Thurrock and Havering as improved journey times would bring over 400,000 more jobs within a 60-minute commute, when the new crossing is open for traffic

• Two new public parks that would remove the need for over 470,000 HGV movements on local roads by beneficially reusing excavated material:

• Chalk Park: a 38-hectare park near Gravesend

• Tilbury Fields: a 48-hectare park overlooking the Thames in Thurrock

• Over 260 hectares of new woodland – in addition to the new 100-hectare community woodland being created in partnership with Forestry England, near Great Warley in Brentwood

• 46km of new and improved footpaths, bridleways, and cycle routes, as well as 120% more hedgerows, 40% more ponds, 10% more ditches, and seven new green bridges

• The proposed locations of the construction and utility compounds, and temporary construction roads

• A summary of the predicted impact of the project during construction and operation on topics ranging from local traffic, public transport and cycle paths to air quality, noise and vibration.

Matt Palmer, executive director for the project, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious road scheme in a generation.

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“The new, reliable connection would improve access to hundreds of thousands of additional jobs, offer new opportunities for local businesses, and create and connect new green spaces that are so important for wildlife and local communities.

“The feedback has been crucial in helping us design a scheme that brings the most benefit to local communities while reducing its impact.

“This further consultation is another opportunity for people to have their say before we submit our planning application at the end of the year.

“I would like to thank everyone in advance for once again giving us their time and feedback.”

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Highways England says the new tunnel would help ease congestion and air quality on the Dartford Crossing by diverting more than 13 million vehicles away every year.

Bosses also claim it would create jobs for up to 22,000 people during construction. Highways England says it will analyse the responses from the latest consultation before submitting an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) later this year.

The consent process can take up to 18 months and if given the green light, construction is expected to start in 2024 with the road opening between 2029 and 2030.

To take part in the consultation, visit highwaysengland.co.uk/ltcconsultation.