Project update Lower Thames Crossing - The South East Local Enterprise ...
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Lower Thames Crossing Project update Summer 2019
Foreword
The level of detail in the feedback we received through our
consultation and our comprehensive programme of ground
investigations means we want to take additional time to
improve our proposals and to develop our DCO application.
Welcome to the Lower Thames We now intend to submit our DCO application in summer
Crossing consultation update 2020. This does not impact on our overall programme
and we are on target to open the Lower Thames Crossing
At the end of 2018 we held the most comprehensive consultation in 2027 as we have further developed our approach
Highways England has ever undertaken and we received a to construction to schedule work concurrently and
record breaking response with around 15,000 people attending reduce the overall time required for construction.
Director CIP, Chris Taylor. our 60 events and almost 29,000 people sharing their views on
our proposals. I would like to thank everyone who took part. Ahead of submitting our DCO application in summer 2020 It is vital we get all
we will continue to review the feedback we received during
aspects of the design,
Since the consultation we have been reviewing all of the last year’s consultation and consider it as we develop the
feedback and our commitment to you is to consider each design of the route. We will share design updates with construction and
and every response we received and to use that feedback stakeholders and communities and we may need to consult operation right to
as we continue to develop our proposals ahead of submitting further on proposed changes. We will of course keep minimise the impacts
our Development Consent Order (DCO) application. communities, customers and stakeholders updated as our
and maximise
plans progress. We may also choose to consult further
We received a record We will publish a full consultation report as part of our DCO on proposed changes to the project as it develops. the benefits
breaking response application, however to keep you updated on progress
we are now issuing an interim update on the key themes Please visit our website www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk
with around 15,000 we heard during the consultation. This update sets out to sign up to our email updates or follow us on Twitter
people attending our levels of support for and opposition to our proposals @lowerthames to keep up to date.
60 events and almost and some of the suggestions made as to how we can
29,000 people sharing improve the design of the Lower Thames Crossing. Thank you again for your continued interest
in the Lower Thames Crossing.
their views There is significant support for our proposals with more than
80% of respondents supporting the need for a new crossing
and 70% supporting the location, however we recognise
that there are a number of areas of concern. Our work now
is focused on continuing to improve our proposals. It is vital
we get all aspects of the design, construction and operation
right to minimise the impacts and maximise the benefits.
Chris Taylor
Director, Complex Infrastructure Programme
Highways England
2 Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 3
The consultation
A ten-week consultation ran from 10 October to
20 December 2018 providing stakeholders and
the public with an opportunity to have their say on
our proposals for the Lower Thames Crossing.
Working with our stakeholders
We attended more than 100 meetings with stakeholders
including local authorities, statutory environmental
bodies, business representatives and local elected
representatives including MPs and ward councillors.
Promoting the consultation
We issued three news releases that were widely
covered across local, regional and national news
outlets. We received more than 300 pieces of coverage
on radio and television, online and in newspapers.
Key Event locations
60 14,868 2,500,000 132 300,000 212,000 2,000,000
events event attendees emails sent Tweets sent by people reached visitors to views of
@lowerthames via Twitter consultation consultation web
website pages
4 Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 5
Your responses
28,493
responses received.
This is a record for a consultation of its type. The consultation
responses were received and analysed by Traverse, an
independent company specialising in public consultations.
To view Traverse’s Executive Summary of the issues raised during the
consultation please visit www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk. The full
statutory consultation report providing detailed information about the
consultation process, the issues raised and our responses to them will
be published as part of our Development Consent Order application.
The following pages provide a summary of the responses
received during the consultation.
3% 1%
How we received the responses
7%
3% 1%
Online
7% Campaign responses
Feedback forms
Online
Free-text letters and emails
Campaign responses
Feedback forms
89% Free-text letters and emails
Please note: Percentages on this and
following charts may not add up to 100%,
as they are rounded to the nearest percent.
Where a figure is less than 0.5% (For
89% example question 1a) we have displayed
that figure as
The need for a new crossing The location of the crossing
2%
1a. Do you agree or disagree that the Lower Thames Crossing is needed? 2a. Do you support 4%
or oppose our 3% 9%
12% Strongly support
selection of 3% Strongly support
Sections of the route
South of the river in Kent The crossing
3a. Do you support or oppose the proposed route south of the river? 3c. Please give us your comments on the tunnel, the north and the south
tunnel entrances and any other feedback you have on this part of the
preferred route.
4%
9% 4%
3% 3% 9%
Strongly support
Strongly support
Support
4040
% % Support
Neutral
Neutral
17% 17%
Oppose
Oppose
Strongly oppose
Strongly oppose
Do not know
Do not know
27%
27%
Highlighted comments Highlighted comments
Support Opposed Suggestions Support Opposed Suggestions
Supporters of this section Concerned about Go back to the Want the tunnel built It would have a negative The tunnel must be
make similar arguments traffic and the impact previously considered as soon as possible. impact on air quality, future-proofed to cope
to those who support on the existing road Eastern Southern Link, Support the use of a noise, wildlife and the with increasing traffic
the location of the network and the already upgrade the existing tunnel rather than a green belt. There may not volumes. It should have
preferred route. Bridges congested A2. Impact local road network or bridge, the number of be enough lanes to meet more lanes, be longer,
and embankments on residential areas make changes to the lanes and the location future traffic demand and there should be more
are a necessary part and the visual impact design such as making of the tunnel entrances. concerned that HGVs tunnels or it should be a
of the design and the of bridges. Impact the tunnel longer. using the tunnel could bridge instead.
inclusion of green on designated sites hold up traffic like at
bridges is a good thing. such as Kent Downs the existing crossing.
Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty.
10 Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 11
Connections
North of the river in Thurrock and Essex Connections south of the river in Kent
3d. Do you support or oppose the proposed route north of the river? 4a. Do you support or oppose the proposed junction between
the Lower Thames Crossing and the M2/A2?
3% 3%
12% 9% 4% 10% 9% 4%
3% 3% 3%
3% Strongly support
Strongly support Strongly
Stronglysupport
support
37% Support
Support Support
Support
40% 41%40%
Neutral
Neutral Neutral
Neutral
17% 15% 17%
17% Oppose
Oppose Oppose
Oppose
Strongly oppose Strongly oppose
Strongly oppose Strongly oppose
Do not know Do not know
Do not know Do not know
27% 27%
27% 28%
Highlighted comments Highlighted comments
Support Opposed Suggestions Support Opposed Suggestions
Supporters make Would negatively Route should be It will take traffic away Potential impacts of the Add the ‘C variant’ link
similar arguments to impact communities changed to one from some sections new road on both major to the M20 which was
those who support the in Thurrock and could suggested during the of the A2 and help to and local roads in Kent explored in our previous
location of the preferred make already high 2016 route consultation. reduce traffic at the have not been properly studies. Improve the
route. The design levels of pollution worse. It should link to the Dartford Crossing. considered. The existing strategic road
of bridges, viaducts Might make the A13, A12 or the M11 and removal of the junction network in Kent, including
and embankments Orsett and Ockendon the existing local with the A226 could the M2, A2, M20 and
is sympathetic to more congested. road network should restrict local access. A20 and connections
local surroundings. The viaduct over the be improved. There are also concerns between them.
Mardyke is too high and about the impact on
should be changed to local communities,
reduce its impact. wildlife and air quality.
12 Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 13
Connections north of the river in Thurrock and Essex
4c. Do you support 4%
or oppose the 3% 9% 4% Highlighted comments
11% Strongly support
proposed Tilbury 3% Strongly support
junction? 36%%
40
Support
Support
Support Opposed Suggestions
Potential impacts on Would negatively impact The link road from
Neutral
Neutral
17% local communities have local communities, Tilbury junction should
19% Oppose
Oppose been minimised. The make congestion and air be included to provide
Strongly oppose
Strongly oppose connections would quality worse. Concern access to Tilbury port
Do not know smooth traffic flows, that the junction with area and stimulate
Do not know
reduce pollution and the A13/A1089 would the local economy.
27%
27% support the economy. add more traffic to the There should be direct
The junction with the A13 and local roads access between the
A13/A1089 would and make certain Lower Thames Crossing
provide access to one journeys take longer. and the A127.
4d. Do you support 4% of the key arterial roads
or oppose the 3% 9% 4% through South Essex. Concerned about impact
proposed junction 11% Strongly support
of elevated sections of
Strongly support
between the 4% 35%% Support the junction with the M25
40 Support
Lower Thames and the impact on local
Neutral
Neutral
Crossing and 17% woodlands. The changes
the A13/A1089? 18%
Oppose
Oppose to junction 29 of the M25
Strongly oppose
Strongly oppose
could attract more traffic
Do not know to the already busy A127.
Do not know
27%
27%
3%
4e. Do you support 4%
or oppose the 3% 9%
11% Strongly support
proposed junction Strongly support
between the 4%
39%% Support
40 Support
Lower Thames
Neutral
Neutral
Crossing and 17% 15%
the M25? Oppose
Oppose
Strongly oppose
Strongly oppose
Do not know
Do not know
27%
27%
14 Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 15
Walkers, cyclists and horse-riders Environmental impacts
5. Do you support or oppose our proposals 6a. Do you agree or disagree with the proposed measures
in relation to public rights of way? to reduce the impacts of the project?
Development boundary Rest and service area and maintenance depot
3%
7a. Do you support or oppose the proposed area of land 8a. Do you support 4%
we require to build the Lower Thames Crossing? or oppose 3% 9%
3% 10% Strongly support
our proposals Strongly support
for a rest and Support
4037
%% Support
service area in Neutral
Neutral
this location? 17% 17%
Oppose
Oppose
4%
4% Strongly oppose
312
% Strongly oppose
% 9%
Strongly support Do not know
3% 32%
Strongly support Do not know
Support 30%
Support
40% 27%
Neutral
Neutral
17%
Oppose
Oppose 8b. Do you support 4%
22% or oppose our 3% 9% 4%
Strongly oppose 10%
Strongly oppose 3% Strongly support
proposals for Strongly support
Do not know 31%
Do not know the maintenance 40%
Support
Support
27% depot in this Neutral
Neutral
27% location? 17%
Oppose
Oppose
24%
Strongly oppose
Strongly oppose
Do not know
Do not know
29%
27%
Highlighted comments Highlighted comments
Support Opposed Suggestions Support Opposed Suggestions
The land is needed Concerned about how Suggestions related to Existing services are It is not needed and More HGV parking
and impact on the much land is needed, specific properties and in short supply and should not be at the should be provided
local community and how many homes could negotiations between inadequate. Parking proposed location. along with green space
environment has be demolished and how Highways England for HGVs on the route It is too close to and an outdoor area.
been minimised. this would affect local and landowners. is needed. The service residential areas.
communities. Risk that area would create local
the project would lead jobs and regenerate
to further urbanisation the local area.
of the local area.
18 Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 19Traffic
9a. Do you agree or disagree with the view that the Lower
Thames Crossing would improve traffic conditions on the
surrounding road network?
2%Building the crossing
11a. Do you support or oppose our initial plans for how to build
the Lower Thames Crossing?The consultation
14. Please let us know what you think about the quality of our
consultation materials, our events, the way in which we have
notified people about our plans, and anything else related to
this consultation.
Highlighted comments
4%
5% 16% Support
5% 20%
Very good Very good The materials and events were helpful and
32% Good Good informative. The use of “before and after” pictures
8%
16% Average Average
and the “fly-through” video was good. Grateful for
the opportunity to comment on the proposals.
Poor% Poor
7
Very poor Very poor
Opposed
Not applicable
30% Not applicable Don’t believe feedback given will influence
19%
decision making and the decision has already
38%
been made. Information was biased or there
was not enough and the consultation was
Information Events (quality) poorly advertised. Some found the events to be
inaccessible due to their time and location.
15% 16% 20%
Very good Very good
Good Good
8%
42% Average Average
21%
Poor% Poor
7
Very poor Very poor
Not applicable 30% Not applicable
19%
5% 4% 13%
Events (location)
Very good Promotion
Good
Average
Very good Poor
Good Very poor
Average Not applicable
Poor
Very poor
uality) 24 (location) Promotion
Events Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 25
Not applicableNext steps
We’re continuing to work through people’s comments in detail and as Given the quality and volume of responses we received to our
we consider the responses we received we may make changes to consultation and the important information we continue to receive
the design to improve the scheme. If we make significant changes to through our engagement with stakeholders we intend to take
the design, we may carry out further consultation on those changes. additional time to consider the feedback and we now expect to
We will keep you informed should we decide to do so. submit our application for a Development Consent Order in summer
2020. This does not change our target of opening the road in 2027.
It is vital we get all aspects of the design right to ensure we maximise the
benefits of the Lower Thames Crossing while also minimising the impacts on
communities and the environment. We continue to work with stakeholders
to shape the design and understand the impact on local communities.
2019 Summer 2020 2020 Late 2020/ 2021 2021 2027
early 2021
Preparing our Submission of Pre-examination of Examination Recommendation Decision Opening
planning application DCO application DCO application
Considering feedback We will make our submission You can register The Planning The Planning The Secretary of The Lower Thames
from the consultation, to the Planning Inspectorate, with the Planning Inspectorate has six Inspectorate State then has three Crossing opens
developing the design and which will include feedback Inspectorate as an months to examine will make a months to issue to traffic.
preparing our submission to from the consultation. This is interested party our application. This recommendation a decision. This
the Planning Inspectorate. called the DCO application. and make formal is called the DCO to the Secretary of will be followed
representations examination period. State for Transport by a public
The Planning Inspectorate
about the project. Registered parties within three months announcement.
has 28 days to decide if the
You will then be kept can send written of the end of the If approved,
application meets the required
informed of progress comments to the examination period. construction could
standards to proceed, including
and opportunities Planning Inspectorate begin soon after.
whether our consultation has
to be involved. and can ask to speak
been adequate.
at a public hearing.
26 Project update - Summer 2019 Project update - Summer 2019 27If you need help accessing this or any other Highways England information,
please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.
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