A fresh bid to build Britain's biggest road tunnel under the Thames has been re-submitted.

National Highways is seeking approval for the £8.2 billion Lower Thames Crossing connecting Kent and Essex via 14-mile bored tunnel and road route.

Initial plans were pulled in November 2020 after the Planning Inspectorate asked for more details on how environmental concerns would be reduced.

National Highways says it will double road capacity across the Thames east of London and reduce congestion at the Dartford Crossing.

But the proposals, which have been subject to various rounds of consultation over the last decade, have come under intense scrutiny from campaigners, residents and MPs.

Following the resubmission of the plans, Matt Palmer, executive director for the Lower Thames Crossing, said: "National Highways submitted an application for a Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames Crossing to the Planning Inspectorate, who will now consider if the application will be taken forward to the next stage of the planning process.

"We’ve carried out a huge programme of engagement and consultation with our stakeholders and communities to improve the design of the Lower Thames Crossing and reduce our impact on our neighbours and the environment.

"We're grateful to our stakeholders and local communities for taking the time to give us feedback and help us shape our route and how we will build it."

Since the 11th hour decision to pull the initial application National Highways says it has worked with members of the public to adapt its blueprint.

New images have been produced showing how the design of the project has changed to account for this.

The M2/A2 junction near Gravesend has been redesigned to provide a more compact layout, which planners say has reduced the land needed and allowed the tunnel to be extended 350 metres south.

The A226 junction has also been removed, which designers say will reduce the impact on the road network, air quality and noise receptors around Higham.

Other changes include lowering the height of the road, and reducing the number of lorries needed during construction from 17,500 to 9,500 by re-using excavated material on site to create landscaping features and two new public parks.

It has also revealed a target to plant 1 million trees following criticism that farmland could be used to soak up fumes generated by the scheme.

National Highways say there’s also been a reduction in the number of properties that would be directly impacted by construction.

However, the results of a recent survey show there remain strong objections to various aspects of the scheme.

Last week Thurrock Council's taskforce on the scheme said there were significant concerns about the impact of the new crossing on local roads despite assurances from National Highways that there would be an “overall improvement in traffic flow”.

Laura Blake, who is chairman of the Thames Crossing Action Group, has also raised ongoing concerns over its "smart motorway" credentials and projected aims.

Following its resubmission, she said: “We know that failure to deliver the LTC project is an existential threat to National Highways, their own report stated as much.

"We can only assume that is why they have pushed ahead with resubmitting the DCO application despite a lack of adequate consultation, and evidence that the project would not deliver the scheme objectives.

She added: "This is a hugely destructive and harmful project, that would not solve the problems at the Dartford Crossing, is not fit for purpose, and now estimated to cost in the region of at least £10bn would be a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.

"Our local authorities, MPs and many major organsations and groups have concerns just like us.

"The fact National Highways have pushed ahead with the resubmission wreaks of desperation for a project that is hanging by a thread and should be put out of it’s misery. We need and deserve better."

The group has been backed by Gravesham MP Adam Holloway who called a debate in Parliment and labelled the plans a "white elephant" that will not solve the county's traffic problems.

Leader of Gravesham council Cllr John Burden, also remains opposed to the proposals.

He said: “Our position on the Lower Thames Crossing remains that we are opposed to the principle of a crossing to the east of Gravesend but we will work to secure the best outcomes possible for our residents and businesses should it go ahead.

“Since the previous DCO for the crossing was withdrawn back in 2020, members and officers have been pressing National Highways for commitments to be included in this latest submission that would tackle key issues such as minimising the impact on our residents and environment during the construction and operational phases of the project.

“We also expect to see a suite of tangible additional benefits that will improve the lives of those who, should it go ahead, will have to live with this major highway through the heart of our borough for generations to come.

“We will be examining the DCO carefully and formulating our response to the forthcoming public inquiry, where we will ensure the interests of Gravesham are fully heard and addressed.”

But neighbouring Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has welcomed the resubmission of the plans.

Mr Johnson said: “I am pleased this application is now with the Planning Inspectorate. This project has been years in the making and it cannot come soon enough for the residents of Dartford.

“As everyone knows, Dartford’s traffic issues cause misery for us every day."

The Dartford Crossing has been running above capacity for years, with up to 180,000 crossings now on its busiest days – well over the 135,000 daily crossings it was intended to take.

The Tory MP believes the new crossing will offer everyone a "much-needed alternative route".

He added: “At the moment, two-thirds of journeys at the crossing take twice as long as they should and 19 in 20 experience some form of delay.

“This week’s application marks years of hard work and building work can’t start soon enough.”

Now the bid has been re-submitted interested parties have two weeks to submit representations.

National Highways is expected to find out by the end of the month whether the Planning Inspectorate will accept the bid and start the official examination process.

Should it be given the green light it could start as early as 2024 and be finished by 2029.