Transport for London (TfL) will go ahead with plans for two new Thames crossings at Thamesmead and Belvedere, it has been announced today (March 3).

A consultation report, published by TfL, for new river crossings east of the Silvertown tunnel shows overwhelming public support for more crossings linking east and southeast London.

A further consultation on new crossings at Gallions Reach connecting Thamesmead with the Royal Docks and at Belvedere, connecting north Bexley with Havering, is now planned for the autumn.

The new crossing at Gallions Reach would put an additional 70,000 businesses and 570,000 jobs within an average commuting time - 37 minutes - of Thamesmead.

A new crossing at Belvedere would mean an additional 70,000 businesses and 165,000 jobs within an average commuting time of North Bexley.

Over the next few months extensive work will take place to develop proposals for the new crossings.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "Delivering new river crossings to the east is going to be vital to the future success and prosperity of the Capital.

"We know from this consultation that Londoners are overwhelmingly in support of new crossings and TfL will now be pushing full steam ahead with plans for Gallions Reach and Belvedere."

Subject to securing funding and the necessary approvals, both crossings could be completed and open by 2025.