Theresa May was asked for a progress report on the government's deliberations regarding a new Lower Thames Crossing during Prime Minister's Questions this lunchtime.

Highways England has recommended that the Department for Transport move ahead with a crossing east of Gravesend to help ease congestion caused by the existing crossing in Dartford, but no decision has yet been made.

With the M25 coming to a standstill yet again this week, and a letter winging its way to Number 10 from Dartford council asking for a quick decision on a new crossing, Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti was keen to get an update from the PM herself.

Mrs May said: "We have consulted on proposals around a Lower Thames Crossing. There were 47,000 responses to that consultation and these are now being considered.

"The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Graying MP) will make his response to that consultation in due course."

Speaking after PMQs, Dartford MP Gareth Johnson said he would be meeting with the PM in the near future to discuss the issue further.

“It is essential we all keep up the pressure over this issue..." - Dartford MP Gareth Johnson

He added: “It is essential we all keep up the pressure over this issue.

"I have recently made representations to the Prime Minister about the location of the new Lower Thames Crossing which I want to see located east of Gravesend and not in Dartford.

“We also need Highways England to take radical steps to tackle the congestion whilst a new crossing is being built.”

The Gravesend crossing - dubbed Option C - is Highways England's preferred option, despite strong opposition from councillors and residents in the countryside villages of Chalk, Cobham, Higham and Shorne during its public consultation earlier this year.

Even if the Gravesend crossing was approved, it would likely not be built until 2026 at the earliest.