14-mile tunnels will be first new Thames crossing east of London for 60 years, with work having already cost more than £1bn

Ministers have announced that the £10bn Lower Thames Crossing, a road tunnel under the Thames connecting Kent and Essex, has been approved.

The 14-mile road and tunnel – or two tunnels to be precise, one northbound, one southbound – will be the first new Thames crossing east of London for 60 years.