Thames crossing will be built at pace, says King

King Charles III has told both houses of Parliament that the government will "enable roads to be built at pace including the Lower Thames Crossing".

The King was outlining the government's law-making plans at the start of the new parliamentary year.

The Highways (Financing) Bill will be introduced to the House of Commons, which will include measures to help fund the £10bn project, creating a new motorway-style road linking Essex and Kent.

The government has said "a strong transport network is essential for economic growth".

Legislation had been expected this year, to enable the investment to come forward to build the new crossing. The King's Speech has revealed the name of the bill and further details.

The government wants to use a regulated asset based model to build the Lower Thames Crossing.

It has been used to fund major infrastructure projects like the Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk and the Thames Tideway Tunnel. It will be the first major road project to be funded this way.

Private companies will bid for licences to construct and operate the crossing, with an independent regulator overseeing the works.

The bill is expected to outline the charges for using the new crossing.

Ministers want road users rather than taxpayers to fund the road, seen as nationally significant infrastructure.

The 14.5-mile (23km) road will link Essex and Kent by two tunnels running underneath the Thames - which will be the longest in the UK.

Works are under way, although major construction on the tunnels is expected in 2028.

National Highways has said the project will ease congestion at the Dartford Crossing when it opens in "the early to mid-2030s".

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