Construction work is to get underway on London's £1 billion Silvertown Tunnel scheme after a Development Consent Order (DCO) was granted by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Having now secured the green light, Transport for London (TfL) will start working with local boroughs, landowners, stakeholders and other affected parties to understand a number of conditions included with the DCO for the new twin-bore road tunnel under the River Thames.

The £1bn scheme will help ease congestion at Blackwall Tunnel and improve the reliability and resilience of the road network in east London. In addition, it will enable significantly improved cross-river public transport connections, with up to 37 buses an hour using the tunnel – all of which will be hybrid, electric or at least with the highest Euro VI emission standard. Further pedestrian and cycling improvements will also be carried out on both sides of the river.

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Work will be carried out on the areas surrounding the entrances to the tunnel to improve conditions for local residents and create new walking and cycling routes around Royal Victoria and the Greenwich Peninsula.

So far, two bidders (Cintra Global Ltd and Hochtief PPP Solutions GmbH) have been shortlisted to design and build the Tunnel, which is set to open in 2023.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: "I'm delighted that the green light has been given to progress with the Silvertown Tunnel. New river crossings are vital for the future prosperity of east London, and the scheme will have a substantial impact unlocking new jobs and economic growth, while easing congestion and poor air quality in the area.

"Since I became Mayor I've been determined to ensure the Silvertown Tunnel doesn't have a detrimental impact on our environment. That's why the new plans have such a focus on cleaner transport, with only buses with the highest emission standard using the tunnel, and substantial investment in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure."

Mike Brown MVO, London's Transport Commissioner, said: "East London is in desperate need of more river crossings to provide better public transport links across the Thames and support the delivery of new jobs and homes.

"Now that this nationally significant project has been given the go ahead, we are working closely with local boroughs and others to ensure this vital new infrastructure is delivered with minimal impact to local residents and businesses."

(LM/MH)