The Department for Transport has launched a consultation in order to gauge people's views on a possible new Lower Thames Crossing.

Three different options have been offered by the government and now the public must decide which solution will be the most successful at reducing congestion.

Motorists can choose to have a new intersection at the site of the existing A282 Dartford-Thurrock crossing or a link between the A2 Swanscombe Peninsula and the A1089.

The third option will involve connecting the M2 with the A13 and the M25 between Junctions 29 and 30.

A recent study conducted by TomTom showed that London is the third most gridlocked city in the UK - behind Belfast and Bristol - and this costs logistics companies huge sums of money every year.

Roads minister Stephen Hammond said traffic levels are expected to increase by more than a fifth over the next 30 years, so it is vital that action is taken now.

"I encourage anyone who uses the existing crossing or has an interest in the location of the new crossing to let us have their views on these proposals," he remarked.