More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Revised plans for the multi-billion pound Lower Thames Crossing are due to be unveiled by Highways Bosses.
Around 29,000 people responded to consultation in 2018 over the tunnel between Kent and Essex, which has been dubbed Britain’s most ambitious roads project in a generation.
Those responses and new technical information drawn from surveys and ground investigations have prompted planners to "tweak" the scheme and they are now due to begin a second round of public consultation.
The proposed 14.3-mile, 70mph new road will pass through what will be the longest road tunnel in the UK beneath the country’s second longest river, and join up with A2 in Kent, east of Gravesend.
It is intended to almost double road capacity across the Thames east of London, alleviating pressure on the Dartford crossing, connecting communities, reducing delays and providing more reliable journeys.
Chris Taylor, Director of Highways England’s Complex Infrastructure Programme, said: “The Lower Thames Crossing is Highways England’s most ambitious scheme in 30 years, and we are designing a new route that will boost the local and regional economy, while providing quicker and more reliable journeys.
“We have made some changes to the design of the scheme based on new information, feedback from our consultation in 2018 and ongoing engagement with local the community and organisations. This further consultation is an opportunity for people to have their say on the changes before we submit our planning application later this year.”
The eight-week consultation will run from Wednesday January 29 to Wednesday March 25.
People can respond by visiting one of 20 events along the proposed route, by completing an online survey through the Lower Thames Crossing website, sending a form via Freepost, or sending an email.
Full details of the changes to the design will be made available at the start of the consultation on January 29.
Visit the consultation website here.
Video: a virtual tour through the planned Lower Thames Crossing
Consultation event locations in Kent:
Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend
Thursday February 27, 2pm-8pm
Gravesham Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend
Saturday March 14, midday-6pm
Mobile Information Centre locations south of the River Thames:
Chalk Parish Hall, Pirrip Close, Gravesend
Wednesday, March 4, 10am-7pm
Higham Library Car Park, 8 Forge Lane ME3 7AS
Friday, March 6, 10am-3pm
Higham Train Station Car Park
Friday, March 6, 4pm-7pm
Gravesend Town Centre, King Street
Saturday, March 7, 10am-5pm
Shorne Woods Country Park, Brewers Road, Shorne, Gravesend
Sunday, March 8, 11am-4pm
Meadow Rooms, The Street, Cobham, Gravesend
Thursday, March 12, 10am-3pm
Sole Street Station Car Park, Cobham, Gravesend
Thursday, March 12, 4pm-7pm
Shorne Village Hall Car Park, 16 The Street, Shorne, Gravesend
Wednesday, March 18, 10am-7pm
Consultation event locations north of the River Thames
Consultation document deposit locations:
Dartford Central Library, Market Street, Dartford
Gravesend Library, Gravesend
Maidstone Library, Maidstone
Rochester Library, Rochester
