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 with two tunnels, is the first infrastructure scheme where a lead environmental regulator will be appointed.

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 requir

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