A representative from the Ministry of Transport, Mr. G. R. Nugent tightened the first of 260,000 bolts to secure the first 18 inches of cast iron lining the Dartford – Purfleet tunnel. The 28ft tunnel will be built around the 12ft pilot tunnel, completed in 1938, at the rate of 5ft a day. Around 3,000,000 cubic feet of chalk and gravel will have to be removed, and the tunnel is expected to cost £11,000,000.