Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed the Mayor is contemplating the creation of a new ring road beneath the capital in order to tackle congestion.
The conceptual inner orbital tunnel would provide a 22 mile route under the capital’s streets and could cost around £30bn to create.
It has been proposed after the Mayor’s independent Roads Task Force recommended looking at road tunnel projects in parts of the capital.
Isabel Dedring, deputy mayor for transport, said TfL was “at the very early stage in exploring the potential for new orbital and tunnelled routes” but added: “The Mayor believes they could help to play a key role in supporting London’s growth.”
If it does go ahead, the project should help free up capacity on the city surface, improve air quality and reclaim space for public parks, pedestrians and cyclists, added Dedring.
Initial work to assess the options and affordability of the scheme should be completed by the end of this year, said TfL.
