A new video offering to take drivers on a journey through the proposed Lower Thames Crossing has been released by Highways England.

The three-minute clip begins by stating the design may change. It then shows users where the route lies in relation to settlements before taking them through one of the two-mile three-lane tunnels under the Thames, between Gravesham and Thurrock.

The video also illustrates how the 13-mile route will link drivers to the M25, the A2 and the A13, including the new junctions and link roads being built as part of the £4.4 to £6.2 billion project.

It has been published to provide an early impression of what the road and tunnel could look like once completed in 2027.

Highways England has also released drawings which demonstrate where the route is above and below existing ground levels.

A consultation on the proposed route is planned for later this year ahead of the submission of a development consent order application for permission from the Secretary of State for Transport to build the crossing.

Highways England Project Director Tim Jones said: "The video fly-through of the Lower Thames Crossing will give people a better understanding of how the proposed road and tunnel could look once built.

"We are continuing to develop the design based on feedback from stakeholders and local communities so that we put forward a route which maximises the positive opportunities the Lower Thames Crossing could bring, while minimising impacts on communities and the environment.

"This video does not represent the final design, and we will continue to share our thinking and designs as we approach statutory consultation later this year."

Mr Jones will be updating businesses, stakeholders and partners on project on Thursday when he presents at the Southend Business Partnership.

The scheme will increase capacity for crossing the Thames east of London by 70%, easing pressure on the existing Dartford Crossing – currently the only road link east of the capital.

The LTC will be connected to the M25 and A2 by new roads which will join the M25 between junctions 29 and 30 and the A2 to the east of Gravesend.

Highways England has previously claimed it will deliver an £8 billion economic stimulus, and create some 6,000 jobs.

Around 55 million journeys are made each year on the Dartford Crossing, six million more than it was designed for, and it suffers from closures due to incidents almost daily.

To view the video click here.