A DECISION on the Lower Thames Crossing is to be delayed by six months because of the general election.

After months of submissions and a hearing by the Planning Inspectorate a verdict on National Highways' Development Control Order application was due to be considered on 20 June by the secretary of state for transport, but that date falls during the election campaign.

The date has now been pushed back to 4 October.

A spokesperson for National Highways said the delay is to allow the new government "appropriate time" to consider the application.

The statement said the Department for Transport would endeavour to issue the decision "ahead of the new deadline."