Bold new plans to build two 12.5 mile tunnels under the Thames to link Essex and Kent have been rejected by the Government, we can reveal.

A £6.7 billion idea is to have two tunnels, which incorporate both road and rail, running underground between junction 1 on the M2 and connecting back with the A130 past the Sadlers Farm roundabout.

The New Lower Thames Transport Tunnel (NLTTT) was set up by Peter McBeath with the vision of building two tunnels connecting the counties.

The proposals were taken to the Department of Transport for approval.

However, the Government said that the plans have no backing and they are keen to press ahead with a preferred Lower Thames Crossing route.

The proposed Lower Thames Crossing route comprises a road leaving the M25 between North and South Ockendon, crosses the A13 near Orsett and meets the Thames next to East Tilbury where it then crosses over to North Kent.

Chairman of the NLTTT, John Lynch said the tunnel plan would “open up the East of England in an unprecedented way”.

He said that the plans had been backed by multi-billion firm, China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), who would want toll fees in return.

He said: “Politically, it opens up the East of England like it’s never been opened up before.

"Economically, it improves trade and it also massively improves transport costs.”

The proposal is to build two tunnels which will have three lanes of traffic in each as well as two rail tracks in both tunnels running underneath the road.

In November last year, a meeting was held in the House of Lords between the NLTTT, CREC and other local politicians, such as Deputy Leader of the Thurrock Labour Party, Gerard Rice, where a decision was made to submit the plans to the Department for Transport.

Mr Rice said: “I am 100 per cent behind this. It takes the Lower Thames Crossing totally away from Thurrock.The current Lower Thames Crossing will just connect back to the M25 whereas this one go straight into Essex.”

MP Stephen Metcalfe said: “I think it’s a really interesting idea. I have had the pleasure of meeting John and Peter and discussed the idea, and I am delighted to hear that they have found a partner on this.

“I have taken this to the Department for Transport and they gave positive feedback but they told me to tell them that they need to prove that there is a business plan that will prove that we will be able to build such a project.”

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said: “The Secretary of State announced the preferred route announcement for the Lower Thames Crossing. Highways England are now developing the route in more detail. We are aware of the proposal from the New Lower Thames Transport Tunnel group but this has no Government backing.”