The Lower Thames Crossing is the first major building project where a new scheme to cut environmental red tape will be put to the test, ministers have announced.
Other projects could also be made “faster” by a drive to scrap and streamline environmental rules, Environment Secretary Steve Reed said.
The project, which aims to span the Thames between Kent and Essex, is the first infrastructure scheme where a lead environmental regulator will be appointed.
It will be the UK’s longest road tunnel, connecting the existing road network in Gravesend, including the A2/M2, to the M25 with two tunnels which will run underneath the River Thames to Tilbury in Essex.
It was given the go-ahead by the government in March.
Under the new approach, Natural England will oversee all environmental safeguarding work on the Lower Thames Crossing, while other watchdogs with an interest – the Environment Agency and Marine Management Organisation – will give advice.
The system is aimed at cutting the time it takes to meet planning permission requirements and approvals for environmental plans, and could also reduce costs, according to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Issues blocking the tunnel’s construction can be escalated to Defra’s new infrastructure board to resolve them.
Appointing a lead environmental regulator to major projects was among the headline recommendations of the Corry Review, which has looked at how green rules can be reformed to stop new schemes from being blocked or bogged down for years.
Ministers are expected to report back on how they plan to implement some of the other recommendations of the review on Tuesday.
Mr Reed said: “Britain’s planning rules are so complicated they’ve blocked development of new homes and businesses.
“Under the Government’s Plan for Change, a new approach will see a lead environmental regulator appointed to smooth the system and keep projects firmly on track.
“This means faster transport, energy and housing developments nationwide that will be better for the economy and properly protect the environment.”
