PRESS RELEASE – Now we’re getting a Superhighway!
PRESS RELEASE – Now we’re getting a Superhighway!
Robin Bull, Chair of the Lower Thames Crossing Association said: ” We welcome the design changes which extends the tunnel entrance 600m further south. This will avoid St Mary’s Church being cut off from its community in Chalk village and the removal of the junction with the A226 will avoid the A226 being used by some as an alternative route, a rat-run through local streets, for traffic wishing to access the new crossing.
However, this appears to be the only significant concession Highways England have made to address the many concerns of the local community, expressly made during the 2016 consultation, notably for example the need to protect the Thong Conservation Area and the blocking-up of slip road access to the A2 at Gravesend East, increasing journey times for many.
These new proposals now show the A2 is to be widened to a 12-lane superhighway between Gravesend and Strood, which is at odds with the realignment of the road away from residential areas to reduce traffic noise and improve air quality completed just 10 years ago.
This Government project is part of the wider Thames Estuary Development (formerly Thames Gateway) whereby they are seeking to build on land either side of the Thames, very close to the (now) six lane LTC approach roads. We fear there is a high risk that the land will be used for mass housing and commercial developments which we believe to be detrimental to the health and general wellbeing of the local people in Gravesham.”
Note to Editors: Lower Thames Crossing Association is an organisation established to oppose Lower Thames Crossing options east of Gravesend, and to promote solutions which provide the maximum relief from congestion and pollution. Please visit our website at https://www.ltca.org.uk.