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Lower Thames Crossing: learn the latest about the scheme at four drop-in events
In one of our longer-running sagas, National Highways (formerly Highways England) has announced four Lower Thames Crossing drop-in events at which visitors can learn about project updates and ask any questions they have.
We are told there will be information about proposed routes for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, along with news of how the government agency is working with schools and businesses to create jobs and skills opportunities.
These are not consultation events, but National Highways has confirmed it is working with local authorities on the next round of LTC consultation. It has sent them a draft Statement of Community Consultation proposing a four-week consultation from March 24-April 22.
Information events
Wednesday, February 16, 4pm-8pm: New Windmill Hall, St Mary’s Lane, Upminster, Essex RM14 2QH
Thursday, February 17, 4pm-8pm: East Tilbury village hall, East Tilbury, Essex RM18 8RB
Monday, February 28, 4pm-8pm: Orsett Village Hall, Mill Lane/High Road, Orsett, Essex RM16 3HB
Thursday, March 3, 4pm-8pm: Kent Room, Gravesham Borough Council Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, Kent DA 1AU
- For more on the Lower Thames Crossing, click here
Monday, February 14, 2022
- A number of important documents have yet to emerge. For example, a rigorous transport plan and a finalised air-quality assessment. The latter is critical given that allocations at Teynham will feed extra traffic into AQMAs.
- There seems to be no coherent plan for infrastructure delivery – a key component of the plan given the allocations being proposed near the already crowded Junction 7.
- There seems to have been little or no cooperation with neighbouring boroughs or even parish councils within Swale itself.
The removal of a second consultation might have been understandable if this final version of the plan were similar to that being talked about at the beginning of the consultation process. It is, however, radically different in the following ways:
- There has been a major shift in the balance of housing allocations, away from the west of the borough over to the east, especially around the historic town of Faversham. This is a move that raises many concerns.
- A new large allocation, with accompanying A2 bypass, has appeared around Teynham and Lynsted, to which we are objecting.
- Housing allocations in the AONB around Neames Forstal that were judged “unsuitable” by the council’s own officers have now appeared as part of the housing numbers.
- Most of the housing allocations being proposed are on greenfield sites, many of them on Grade 1 agricultural land – a point to which we are strongly objecting.
Concerns about the rush to submit the plan
The haste with which the plan is being prepared is especially worrying given the concentration of housing in Faversham. If the town is to take a large amount of new housing, it is imperative that the policies concerning the area are carefully worked out to preserve, as far as possible, the unique nature of the town. The rush to submit the plan is likely to prove detrimental.
As Swale does not have a five-year land housing supply, it is open to speculative development proposals, many of which would run counter to the ideas contained in the current plan. Some are already appearing. This is a common situation, and one that, doubtless, is a reason behind Swale’s haste.
Our overriding fear, however, is that this emphasis on haste is ultimately going to prove counterproductive. This is because it is our view that the plan, in its current form, is unlikely to pass independent examination. We are urging Swale to listen to and act upon the comments being made about the plan and to return the plan to the council with appropriate modifications before submitting it to the Secretary of State.
Essentially, this means treating the current consultation not as the final one but as the ‘lost’ second consultation.
The consultation ends on Friday 30 April and we strongly urge residents to make their opinions known if they have not already done so.
Further information
