Lower Thames Crossing 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 Basildon 1 South Upminster A theBe nroutefleet options and mapped environmental Hornchurch Bulphan constraints as part of the appraisal process. We HAVERING Essex THURROCK have engaged early with statutory environmental 3 North Ockendon 1 A bodies including the Environment Agency, Horndon on Canvey Island the Hill Route 3 Natural England, Historic England and the 5 South Ockendon CASTLE POINT 2 M Route 2 Marine Management Organisation to obtain Junction 30 Orsett Stanford-le-Hope North Stifford Route 4 their views. We have also obtained air quality Aveley 3 A1 Linford Purfleet 9 monitoring information from local authorities to 08 Chadwell Chafford 1 Hundred A St Mary 2 help inform the appraisal of route options. 8 2 West Tilbury A Junction 31 Grays BEXLEY East MEDWAY Tilbury Tilbury Water resources Location C There are a number of water resources that are Dartford A226 Bored Tunnel Junction 1a Greenhithe used for a variety of purposes and could be A2 Swanscombe Northfleet 26 GRAVESHAM Gravesend Junction 1b Chalk affected by the new crossing. These include the River Thames, the Mardyke, chalk aquifers A2 Junction 2 Higham Shorne 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 Kent 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 Blue Bell 2 proposals for a new road crossing of Hill the Government,M and more detailed design has 9 2 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 Sevenoaks 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 Dartford Crossing 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 Highways England information, please call flows to allow us to understand where 0300 123 5000. © Crown copyright (2016). Please quote the Highways England publications code PR153/15. You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence: Highways England creative job number S150700 visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ *Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. TW9 4DU, or email [email protected]. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone. Calls may be recorded or monitored. This document is also available on our website at www.highways.gov.uk Printed on paper from well-managed forests and other controlled sources. If you have any enquiries about this publication email Registered office Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford GU1 4LZ [email protected] Highways England Company Limited registered in England and Wales number or call 0300 123 5000*. 09346363.