Location
River Thames east of Gravesend (Kent) and Tilbury (Essex)
Coordinates · verified
51.464, 0.41
Size
14.5 miles of new road; twin 2.6-mile, 16m-diameter tunnels
Value
c.£9bn–£10bn reported estimate (DfT funding decision, Jun 2025)
Stage
Explicitly spared in July 2026 cuts; enabling works underway, TBM order placed 15 Jul 2026, main construction from 2028
What's happening
The UK's largest road project: a 14.5-mile A2/M2-to-M25 link with twin 16m-diameter bored tunnels under the Thames — the longest road tunnels in the UK. DCO granted March 2025 and government funding confirmed June 2025; early works are underway with main construction starting from 2026 and delivery by Bouygues–Murphy (tunnels), Balfour Beatty (north roads) and Skanska (Kent roads).
Next milestone
Main construction start 2026; TBM contract award following Dec 2025 tender; opening early 2030s