The funding outlined in the Budget builds on the initial £590m grant awarded in June, following the approval of the £10bn scheme in March.
The Budget announcement said: “The government is committing a further £891 million to complete the publicly funded works for the Lower Thames Crossing, as part of its staged approach, after which the private sector will take forward construction and long-term operation.”
Matt Palmer, Executive Director of the Lower Thames Crossing, added: “The funding from government gives us the green light to start building the Lower Thames Crossing next year and puts it on track to open in the early 2030s.
“The project will be built by local people and businesses, and leave a legacy of jobs and skills across the region It’s the first of a new generation of projects that will tackle congestion and drive economic growth, whilst redrawing the blueprint for low-carbon construction.”
Ahead of the main construction phase, the project team and its three delivery partners will collaborate with local authorities, landowners, and stakeholders to refine key elements of the design. This work aims to further minimise construction impacts on local communities and the environment, while integrating new and emerging low-carbon technologies and materials throughout the project.