Fact sheet

Water, air, noise and vibration

27 BRENTWOOD A1 Junction 29 Romford Dunton A1 27 We have extensively considered the impact of

West Horndon 8

2 1 South

Upminster A theBe nroutefleet options and mapped environmental Hornchurch constraints as part of the appraisal process. We HAVERING have engaged early with statutory environmental 3 1 A bodies including the Environment Agency, Horndon on the Hill Route 3 Natural , Historic England and the 5 2

M Route 2 Marine Management Organisation to obtain Junction 30 Stanford-le-Hope North Route 4 their views. We have also obtained air quality 3 A1 Linford 9 monitoring information from local authorities to

08 Chadwell Chafford 1 Hundred A St Mary 2 help inform the appraisal of route options.

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2 West A Junction 31 Grays BEXLEY East Tilbury Tilbury Water resources Location C There are a number of water resources that are A226 Bored Tunnel Junction 1a Greenhithe used for a variety of purposes and could be A2 26 Junction 1b Chalk affected by the new crossing. These include the , the , chalk aquifers A2 Junction 2 Higham A289 (that are important for domestic water supply) 5 DARTFORD 2 Thong M Western Southern Link and the Medway Canal. Whilst there are flood Junction 1 Eastern Southern Link defences alongside the River Thames there are Longfield Cobham also large areas of floodplain. Routes 2, 3 and 4 Rochester could potentiallyGillingham affect areas of floodplain and w 8 Chatham 2 M affect both surface and groundwater quality. 7 2 2 2 A 2 A

Highways England is consulting on 0

2 Once a preferred route has been decided by M

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proposals for a new road crossing of Hill the Government,M and more detailed design has

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2 been carried out, we would assess the effects the River Thames connecting Kent and A 20 Essex. There are three route options of the new crossing Mon flood risk. We would also

M20 M20 look at the effects of the preferred route on all northM26 of the river in Essex and two south water resources and how these effects could of the river in Kent. Your views will help M25 be managed as part of the design process. us to inform the Government prior to its decision, expected later this year, on the preferred route and crossing. Air quality There are existing designated Air Quality changes in noise levels are predicted. We Management Areas north and south of the would use this information in developing the river, including areas in Dartford and Thurrock. design of the new crossing route to minimise These are areas where air quality standards noise and vibration effects on communities. have been or are likely to be breached. The area of the existing currently The next development phase of work would has poor air quality and we have taken this give us the opportunity as we develop into account during the appraisal process. more detailed design to explore methods to minimise the noise impacts on the surrounding For those living immediately next to the proposed area, such as low noise surfacing or noise route there could be a limited impact on air barriers. We would also look at ways of quality but it is predicted to be well within managing noise during construction. European Union (EU) limits. Our proposed scheme would improve air quality for the areas Future consultation near the Dartford Crossing which currently As a Nationally Significant Infrastructure experience pollution exceeding the EU limits. Project, a new Lower Thames Crossing is subject to a statutory Development Consent After the preferred route is decided, we Order process. This means there will be would carry out further air quality monitoring further opportunities for you to have your say and modelling to assess the effect on both on more detailed aspects of the scheme. people and sensitive biodiversity sites.

Noise and vibration A number of Noise Important Areas have been For more information identified both north and south of the river. These represent locations that are affected by major Visit our website noise sources such as roads and railways, for www.lower-thames-crossing.co.uk example along the M25, A2 and A282. Residential Access consultation materials and provide your areas including Dartford and Gravesend could views on our proposals. be affected by changes in noise and vibration. Join us at one of our events All route options that are being considered Members of our team will be on hand to answer would provide some noise reduction for the your questions. residents close to the existing crossing. After a preferred route is decided by the Government, Phone us we would carry out baseline surveys and more If you need help accessing this or any other detailed modelling of the changing traffic information, please call flows to allow us to understand where 0300 123 5000.

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