Foster delivered a lecture at Oxford University yesterday entitled Infrastructure, Heritage and Lessons.

The timing was significant on the eve of today’s Autumn Statement announcement and a series of positive meetings about the project in recent weeks.

The Thames Hub prooject was launched earlier this month and has been the subject of further positive studies since.

A spokesman for Foster said: “Over the last few weeks, the team has also met a large number of public and private-sector stakeholders, across a range of infrastructure sectors, and has received strong support for the Thames Hub proposals.

“Initial discussions with investors have shown that there is interest in supporting the project through its planning, design, construction, and operation and maintenance phases.

“With an appropriate political and planning framework, this is a project that can be delivered.”

The Thames Hub plan includes a £20bn high-speed Orbital Rail line around London; a new £6bn Thames Barrier and crossing and a £20bn international Estuary Airport.