£590m boost to plans for new Thames tunnel

LOWER THAMES CROSSING IS 'ESSENTIAL' TO GOVERNMENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS

- By CAITLIN DOHERTY

THE Government has pledged a further £590 million funding for the Lower Thames Crossing, as part of its ten-year infrastructure plan.

The extra funding, announced as part of last week's spending review, will help pay for the planned 2.6-mile tunnel under the Thames Estuary, aimed at reducing congestion on the Dartford Crossing.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP has said that the project is “essential for improving the resilience of a key freight route and is critical to our long-term trade with Europe”.