Lower Thames Crossing Design Refinement Consultation - Design Refinements - South of the river in Kent

Closed 12 Aug 2020

Opened 14 Jul 2020

Contact

0300 123 5000

info@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk

Overview

Design refinements - South of the river in Kent

M2/A2 area proposals

Around the M2/A2 junction, we have developed our landscaping proposals and have included further detail on our proposed ancient woodland mitigation.

Find out more
To view the technical drawings for this section of the route, please refer to Map Book 1: General Arrangements and Map Book 2: Land Use, sheets 1 – 7a.

Ancient woodland compensation

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To the west of the A2 between Claylane Wood and Shorne Woods, the proposed ancient woodland compensation has been refined. Due to utility diversions required within Claylane Wood, the ancient woodland compensation in this area would be reduced. As a result, we would increase the proposed ancient woodland compensation planting, to the north on the edge of Gravesend, as much as is reasonably practical.

Between Brewers Wood and Great Crabbles Wood, we have included more detail on the ancient woodland compensation, which comprises woodland and grassland areas. The landscaping in this area would be designed to connect both woodlands and proposed replacement open space land.

To the south of High Speed 1 (HS1), we would reduce the proposed ancient woodland compensation due to the presence of a cultural heritage building and to maintain a sense of open space at this location. It has also been reduced in response to fewer utility works required than presented at supplementary consultation.

To the north of Shorne Woods, we would redesign the original block planting layout of our ancient woodland compensation, so that it follows the existing topography of the land and better reflects the landscape character of the area. The redesigned area would also accommodate the utility works proposed close to this location.

Electricity substation landscaping

At supplementary consultation we were considering three locations for an electricity substation at the southern tunnel entrance. We are currently looking to progress option two, which is located away from the majority of residential areas and St. Mary’s Church. In relation to this, we have also developed our landscaping proposals around this substation. The proposed earthworks and woodland planting are intended to help integrate the infrastructure into the existing landscape and provide suitable visual screening.

Did you know?
Earthworks involve excavating the existing land to a suitable level to allow a road to be constructed. It can also involve the construction of artificial embankments made of soil to carry an elevated road.

Refinements to Brewers Road green bridge

The Brewers Road green bridge over the A2 would be moved approximately six metres east. The green space would be amalgamated on the eastern side of Brewers Road green bridge over the A2 to provide better connectivity for the landscape, ecology and habitats.

Retaining wall added alongside HS1 land

To the east of Thong Lane over the A2, a concrete retaining wall approximately 20 metres long and two metres high would be added alongside HS1 land. This is to prevent earthworks from the LTC project moving on to HS1 land. The retaining wall would only be visible from the HS1 side.

Refinements to Thong Lane green bridge over the A2

The Thong Lane green bridge over the A2 would move approximately five metres west. Further green space would be amalgamated on the western side of the bridge to improve species habitat, the landscape and ecological connectivity. There would be no change to the proposed provision for walkers, cyclists and horse riders that was shown at supplementary consultation as a result of moving the green bridge or the green space.

Refinements to Thong Lane green bridge over the LTC

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The Thong Lane green bridge over the LTC would move approximately 20 metres north to avoid clashing with a proposed gantry and to allow for tree planting that was previously restricted by overhead electricity cables. It would also be raised by less than half a metre as a result of the LTC alignment change (see below) and to maintain the minimum clearance required under the bridge.

As a result of the bridge moving, the proposed new shared path for walkers, cyclists and horse riders on Thong Lane over the LTC is also moving. This would allow for more woodland planting on and around the southern part of the bridge, providing a wooded connection between Shorne Woods and Claylane Wood.

See the ‘Routes for walkers, cyclists and horse riders’ diagram.

This means the overhead electricity transmission cable diversion that was shown at supplementary consultation would also need to be changed. More information about this proposal can be found further on in this section in relation to the utility refinements within this section of the route.

Did you know?
A gantry is an overhead bridge-like structure supporting equipment such as traffic signs or cameras.

LTC alignment raised, south of Thong Lane over the LTC

The position of the LTC, to the south of Thong Lane over the LTC, would be raised by between two and three metres to improve driver visibility. This change would result in the Thong Lane green bridge over the LTC being raised by less than half a metre.

New parking area to the east of Thong Lane green bridge over the LTC

A new informal parking area is proposed to the east of Thong Lane green bridge over the LTC. The proposal includes a good level of parking to help ease the current parking issues along Brewers Road and alleviate problems caused by the lack of capacity at the Shorne Woods Country Park Visitor Centre.

This location is easily accessible to residents of Gravesend and there are footpaths linking the proposed parking area to Shorne Woods. The new paths remain as shown in our proposals at supplementary consultation. It is also proposed that access to the car park would be shared with a permanent maintenance route that would be required.

Claylane Wood drainage pond relocation

The location of the Claylane Wood drainage pond would be moved approximately 20 metres north and five metres west to avoid a proposed gas pipeline diversion in the area.

Maintenance access tracks

In this section of the route, we propose maintenance tracks to provide access to ponds and a substation at the southern tunnel entrance. These tracks are not for public use or ‘rat-running’ and would be secured with an access control system. They would only be used for the purposes of operating and maintaining the LTC and associated infrastructure. This would include maintenance access to infrastructure owned by the utility companies. There is one maintenance track that is shared with part of a route for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Permit requirement to stockpile excavated clean chalk

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We are exploring the opportunity to stockpile excavated clean chalk from our construction works east and west of the southern tunnel entrance. We would expect the stockpile to be in place during the construction phase of the project and for up to three years following the opening of the LTC. During this time the stockpile would vary in size and location.

We have been advised by the Environment Agency that, due to the length of time the stockpiles may be present, we are likely to require an environmental permit.

We are not proposing any permanent landfill as material stockpiled under these permits would be removed from the site and the permit would be for a temporary operation only.

This would be a regulatory change as a result of engagement with the Environment Agency, not a permanent, physical or visual change. The application would be assessed against the temporary landfill permit option, as this allows for longer timescales of stockpile storage and provides flexibility for the contractor.

The following utility refinements are also proposed for this section of the route:

As described at supplementary consultation, we have been working with our stakeholders, including the utility companies, to refine our proposals and minimise the land required for works.

In particular, we have been able to refine the land required for utility diversions shown at supplementary consultation around the A2 area and, in doing so, reduce the impacts on Shorne and Ashenbank Woods SSSI and in other environmentally sensitive locations. This includes south of the river at Jeskyns Community Woodland and around Claylane Wood, where there is ancient woodland.

Upgrade works for the existing overhead electricity distribution cables

Some additional works to those shown at supplementary consultation would be required to upgrade electricity cables on the existing overhead line between the A2/LTC junction and the A226. In conjunction with these works, we may need to install some new electricity cables underground.

These works are to ensure there is enough electricity supply to the southern tunnel for requirements such as lighting and ventilation. Some additional land to that shown at supplementary consultation would be required for us to complete the installation and upgrade.

Refined gas alignment diversion

A short extension to the gas diversion along Valley Drive shown at supplementary consultation would be required. This is for approximately 35 metres north along the road and would require additional land outside the development boundary shown at supplementary consultation.

New permanent electricity switching station, Thong Lane

A new 33 kilovolt (kV) permanent electricity switching station, contained within an area approximately 50 metres long and 15 metres wide, would be required to distribute electricity to all new and existing smaller substations along the LTC route. The area would also include fencing.

Permanent vehicle access would also be required so the utility provider can access the site for future maintenance. This may include a new lay-by close to the site. We are currently working with the utility company on these plans and our final design will be submitted as part of our DCO application.

The switching station itself would be silent and would be regularly maintained by the utility provider. We do appreciate, however, that there would be a visual impact and we will continue to work with our stakeholders to determine how this can be minimised.

Refinement to the overhead electricity transmission cable diversion

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Due to the proposed changes to the Thong Lane green bridge over the LTC, refinements would be required to the overhead electricity transmission cable diversion that we showed in this area at supplementary consultation.

The diversion would be moved approximately 235 metres south of that proposed at supplementary consultation, which is approximately 90 metres south of the existing overhead electricity transmission cable. This means it would move away from Riverview Park and closer to Thong. Some small additional pockets of land to that shown at supplementary consultation would also be required for these works and for future maintenance of the overhead electricity cables.

To build the new pylons in this area and maintain continued electricity supply for the community, the temporary pylons and alignment shown at supplementary consultation may also need to be moved. This information would be confirmed as part of our ongoing detailed design.

Small permanent electricity substations

We currently propose five small electricity substations (approximately three metres by three metres in size within a total area of five metres by four metres, and maintenance access tracks as required) in the following locations:

  • in the vicinity of Henhurst Road and the access to HS1’s Maintenance Depot
  • two substations in the vicinity of the existing Cobham Service area
  • two substations on Thong Lane in the vicinity of Gravelhill Wood

Have your say
To comment on the changes to the route south of the river, answer questions 1a and 1b in the response form.

M2/A2 area maps and static images

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M2/A2

 

 

A2

 

 

Thong Lane and A2

 

 

Thong Lane and Gravesend

 

 

 

Continue to the next section: Section 3b: Design refinements - North of the river in Thurrock and Essex

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Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Roads