Plans have been unveiled for the preferred route of the new Lower Thames Crossing scheme.

Option 'C' has been selected for the scheme, which involves developing a new link between the A2 and the M25.

Nearly 47,000 consultation respondents choose the option as the best solution, with 4.5 million HGV's expected to use the route in its first year.

The planned route will run from the M25 near North Ockendon, cross the A13 at Orsett before crossing under the Thames east of Tilbury and Gravesend. A new link road will then take traffic to the A2 near Shorne, close to where the route becomes the M2.

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A further £10 million will be used to improve traffic flow at and around the existing crossing, as well as studying ways to further tackle congestion.

In addition, £66m is being invested to widen the A13 Stanford-le-Hope bypass from two to three lanes.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the new Crossing could create over 6,000 jobs and provide an £8 billion boost to the economy, while widening the A13 will help generate more than 4,000 jobs and unlock the development of hundreds of new houses, as well as improve links to Tilbury and new London Gateway ports.

"The new Lower Thames Crossing, and other improvements in and around Dartford and Thurrock announced today, will further strengthen our economy while also creating thousands of jobs," he said.

"Our £23 billion investment into our roads is already making a difference, with schemes being completed across the country, including the M1 Catthorpe junction and A556 at Knutsford, cutting journey times for millions of motorists.

The schemes announced today not only show we are taking decisions, we are planning upgrades and we are completing roads – making the lives of millions of motorists better."

(LM/MH)