National Grid plans to upgrade Kent to Essex tunnel under the Thames

Plans to upgrade a tunnel under the Thames, which is used for electricity infrastructure between Kent and Essex, have been submitted.

If approved, the existing Thames Cable Tunnel, which links Gravesend and Tilbury, will be improved and two new headhouse buildings added.

Headhouses are buildings which are needed to connect the tunnel and act as access points for National Grid workers.

The documents, which were sent to both local authorities, reveal the project comes to try and help the UK cut greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible by 2050.​​​​​​

It comes after a public consultation on the Grain to Tilbury line was made public in October.

The project forms part of the National Grid’s “The Great Grid Upgrade” – the largest overhaul of the electricity grid in generations.

As part of its plans, National Grid proposes to build a new cable tunnel underneath the Thames which will deliver cleaner electricity to the area.