National Highways: A122 Lower Thames Crossing public notice

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, at the dates, times and locations set out below, issue specific hearings and compulsory acquisition hearings will be held by the Examining Authority (appointed by the Secretary of State) for the examination of the application made by National Highways for a Development Consent Order (“the DCO”) for the Lower Thames Crossing (“the Application”).

The Application was made to the Secretary of State (via the Planning Inspectorate) under sections 14, 22 and 37 of the Planning Act 2008 on 31 October 2022 and was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination on 28 November 2022. The Application has been given the Planning Inspectorate reference number TR010032.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The Application seeks development consent for the A122 Lower Thames Crossing located within ten administrative areas: Brentwood Borough Council, Dartford Borough Council, Essex County Council, Gravesham Borough Council, Kent County Council, London Borough of Havering, Maidstone Borough Council, Medway Council, Thurrock Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. The Project would provide a new road connection between the A2 and M2 in Kent, east of Gravesend, crossing under the River Thames through two bored tunnels, and joining the M25 south of junction 29, as set out in the plans which accompany the Application.

The main aspects of the Project comprise:

• A new road, the A122, approximately 23km long connecting to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25:
  • 4.25km of the new road would be in two tunnels, one southbound and one northbound;
  • the new road would have three lanes in both directions, except for link roads, stretches of the carriageway through junctions and the southbound carriageway from the M25 to the junction with the A13/A1089, which would be two lanes;
  • a maximum speed limit of 70mph would apply to the new road;
  • the new road would be an all-purpose trunk road, with additional vehicle restrictions imposed and managed through signage so that walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and slow-moving vehicles would be prohibited;
  • Junctions are proposed at the following locations: the A2 to the southeast of Gravesend; the A13/A1089 in Thurrock; and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30.
• Modifications will be made to a number of local roads to accommodate the new road, and modifications will be made to the A2, the A13 and the M25 to connect with the A122. There would also be adjustments to a number of public rights of way, used by walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.
• New structures will be constructed, and changes made to existing ones (including bridges, buildings, tunnel entrances and viaducts) along the length of the new road and the modified roads.
• Construction of the Project would also require the diversion of a number of utilities, including gas pipelines, overhead and underground electricity cables, as well as water supplies and telecommunications assets.

If the DCO is made by the Secretary of State, it would allow National Highways, for the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining the Project, to acquire compulsorily interests in and rights over land, including the power to create and acquire new rights over land, and to take possession of and to use land temporarily.

The DCO would also make provision for development, which would constitute associated development together with other ancillary matters, including road user charging, the diversion and stopping up of lengths of existing highways and private means of access in the vicinity of the Project route, the classification of highways including trunking and the application of speed limits, the provision of byelaws applying to the tunnel and tunnel approaches, as well as the application, disapplication and modification of legislation relating to the Project.

HEARINGS

Based on the Updated Rule 8 Letter, those hearings taking place in November 2023 are provisionally to be held at the locations, dates and times shown below. A set of agendas will be published by the Examining Authority in due course, which will advise of any changes to the details shown below

The order of these hearings is to be confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate but will be comprised of issue specific hearings (ISH), compulsory acquisition hearings (CAH) and open-floor hearings (OFH).