Campaigners on both sides of the Lower Thames Crossing debate have played down suggestions the project could be jeopardised by the UK voting to leave the European Union.

Earlier this month, Chancellor George Osborne said Brexit could place a question mark over money the government would spend on the project, warning that a recession may jeopardise big infrastructure projects.

Banking firm Goldman Sachs released a report on Sunday predicting a “mild recession” for Britain following the referendum result, but Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite (Con) still expects the crossing to be built.

Cllr Kite said: “I think George Osborne had a very poor campaign and said a lot of things that have fallen apart. He made a number of claims that people looked at and thought, ‘well, that is not going to happen, is it?’

“On both sides things have been said that are not going to happen. The extra money for the NHS is now not being promised by the Leavers and neither is a fall in immigration.

“The crossing is an essential infrastructure project, and if we are going to be an economy that works on its own, it has got to invest in local infrastructure.

“We do need to press on with it and I am sure we will and that the Gravesend crossing will happen.”

The view was shared by Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, who voted Leave. He said: “I see no reason why investment in the Lower Thames Crossing will not be met. The government has always said it will try to secure private investment.

“If that is not found, then public money will be used. There has been no change in that policy.”

“I see no reason why investment in the Lower Thames Crossing will not be met. The government has always said it will try to secure private investment." Gareth Johnson.

However, Kent councillor for Gravesham Rural Bryan Sweetland (Con) thinks the plans could well be at risk.

Despite voting Leave, Cllr Sweetland admitted Brexit’s impact on the economy could mean money is too tight to commit to major infrastructure projects: “Before Brexit the figures and calculations needed real scrutiny, after Brexit they really need double scrutiny.

“There is not going to be the money in future and Option C was one of the more expensive options. The government is in turmoil and I do not suppose the Lower Thames Crossing is high on their agenda at the moment.”

A spokesman for Gravesham council would not be drawn on how the Brexit vote might affect the crossing, but expects the government to announce its preferred option towards the end of the summer.

The new crossing will either be built at the existing Dartford site, or in the countryside east of Gravesend. Highways England has recommended the latter option, which could cost close to £6 billion.