Public Notice: (Kent/Essex) Notice of Community Consultation – Lower Thames Crossing

Notice of Consultation Lower Thames Crossing

Section 47 Planning Act 2008

Notice Publicising a Statement of Community Consultation

Notice is hereby given that Highways England Company Limited (“Highways England”) of Bridge House, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4LZ has published a Statement of Community Consultation (“SoCC”) for the Lower Thames Crossing in accordance with section 47 of the Planning Act 2008. Under section 47 Highways England has a duty to consult the local community about its proposals in accordance with a SoCC.

The Lower Thames Crossing (“the Project”) is a proposed new road connecting Kent, Thurrock and Essex through a tunnel beneath the River Thames (“the Project”). The Project’s main proposals include:

• Approximately 14.5 miles (23km) of new road, with a maximum speed limit of 70mph, connecting to the existing road network from the A2/M2 to the M25
• Two tunnels, one southbound and one northbound
• Improvements to the M25, A2 and A13, where the Lower Thames Crossing connects to the road network
• New structures and changes to existing ones (including bridges, buildings, tunnel entrances, viaducts, and utilities such as electricity pylons) along the length of the new road
• A free-flow charging system, where drivers do not need to stop but pay remotely, similar to that at the Dartford Crossing.

In addition, any necessary rights and powers will be sought to ensure delivery of the Project, including compulsory acquisition.

Highways England are proposing to submit an application to the Secretary of State under section 37 of The Planning Act 2008 for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise the Project.

The SoCC sets out how Highways England will consult the local community about the Project and how to get involved.

This notice contains a summary of the consultation details. However, full details of the consultation can be found in the Statement of Community Consultation. This can be inspected along with our consultation materials, online at www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk/haveyoursay or at the deposit locations during the consultation period from 10 October 2018 to 20 December 2018. Please note that consultation materials will be available from the start of the consultation date on the website and at the deposit locations, but not in advance.

You can also view the Statement of Community Consultation and the other consultation materials at our consultation events where you can speak with members of the Project Team and share your views. Consultation events will be held at the venues listed below during the consultation period.

The Project is an Environmental Impact Assessment development, which means a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) has been produced and is being consulted on alongside the other consultation documents. It also means that an environmental statement, which will outline the likely significant environmental effects of the Project, will be produced and submitted with the DCO application in due course.

CONTACT US

Email LTC@highwaysengland.co.uk

Post Lower Thames Crossing, Woodlands, Manton Industrial Estate, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7LW

Phone 0300 123 0500 (Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm)

HOW TO RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION

Consultation responses can be submitted by:

• Filling in the online response form at www.lowerthamescrossing.co.uk/haveyoursay
• Emailing comments or electronic copies of the response form to:

LTC.CONSULTATION@TRAVERSE.LTD

• Posting comments or paper response forms to: Freepost LTC CONSULTATION
• Filling in a paper response form at one of our public information events

Responses may be submitted up to 11.59pm on 20 December 2018.

Deposit locations

(Opening times exclude bank holidays)

Registered office Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford GU1 4LZ

Highways England Company Limited registered in England and Wales number 09346363