Lower Thames Crossing Scheme Number HE540039 Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report October/2017 < This Page is Left Intentionally Blank > Revision Production Date Prepared By Checked By Approved For Release By 1.0 26.01.2017 Simon Rimell Nicky Hartley Jeff Meerdink 2.0 30.10.2017 Simon Rimell Caroline- Jeff Meerdink Soubry-Smith This report has been prepared for Highways England in accordance with the terms and conditions of appointment stated in the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) Technical Partner Contract. LTC cannot accept any responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any third party. October 2017 < This Page is Left Intentionally Blank > LOWER THAMES CROSSING - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SCOPING REPORT Contents Chapter Page 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Applicants Request .......................................................................... 1 1.2 Background To The Lower Thames Crossing Project ............................. 1 1.3 Project Objectives .................................................................................... 3 1.4 Project History ......................................................................................... 3 1.5 Project Location And The Existing Highway Network .............................. 5 1.6 The Project Team .................................................................................... 6 1.7 Purpose And Structure Of The EIA Scoping Report ................................ 7 2 The Project ...................................................................................................... 10 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 10 2.2 Project Alignment .................................................................................. 10 2.3 Safety And Security ............................................................................... 11 2.4 Earthworks Design ................................................................................ 11 2.5 Highways Structures .............................................................................. 12 2.6 Highways Drainage ............................................................................... 13 2.7 Highways Lighting ................................................................................. 14 2.8 Technology ............................................................................................ 14 2.9 Non-Motorised User (NMU) Provision ................................................... 15 2.10 Flood Risk Management ........................................................................ 15 2.11 Tunnel Design ....................................................................................... 16 2.12 Tunnel Construction .............................................................................. 18 2.13 Construction Works ............................................................................... 20 2.14 Demolition And Land Take .................................................................... 21 2.15 Services And Utility Diversions .............................................................. 22 2.16 Contaminated Land ............................................................................... 22 2.17 Waste Management .............................................................................. 22 2.18 User Charging ....................................................................................... 23 2.19 Traffic Forecasting ................................................................................. 23 2.20 Environmental Design ........................................................................... 25 2.21 The Rochdale Envelope ........................................................................ 26 3 The Reasonable Alternatives Considered .................................................... 27 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 27 3.2 Preferred Route To The Design Development Update .......................... 38 4 Consultation ................................................................................................... 39 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 39 4.2 Approach To Consultation ..................................................................... 39 5 Environmental Impact Assessment Method ................................................ 41 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 41 5.2 The EIA Process .................................................................................... 41 5.3 The EIA Regulatory Context .................................................................. 42 5.4 The Planning Act ................................................................................... 42 5.5 Guidance – Design and Assessment ..................................................... 43 5.6 Study Areas ........................................................................................... 45 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – SCOPING REPORT HE540039-CJV-GEN-GEN-REP-ENV-00001 DATE PUBLISHED - 09/10/2017 UNCONTROLLED WHEN PRINTED – COPYRIGHT © - 2017 – HIGHWAYS ENGLAND COMPANY LIMITED – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED I LOWER THAMES CROSSING - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SCOPING REPORT 5.7 Baseline Data Gathering ....................................................................... 45 5.8 Assessment of Effects ........................................................................... 45 5.9 Mitigation Measures, Enhancements, Residual Effects And Monitoring 48 5.10 Assessment Of Cumulative Effects ....................................................... 48 5.11 Equalities Impact Assessment ............................................................... 49 5.12 Habitats Regulations Assessment ......................................................... 49 6 Air Quality ....................................................................................................... 51 6.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 51 6.2 NPSNN Requirements ........................................................................... 51 6.3 Consultations Undertaken And Proposed .............................................. 53 6.4 Baseline Information Obtained And Surveys Undertaken ...................... 54 6.5 Other Baseline Information To Be Obtained .......................................... 55 6.6 Key Environmental Receptors And Their Value .................................... 55 6.7 Methodology .......................................................................................... 58 6.8 Description Of Possible Significant Effects On Receptors ..................... 68 6.9 Potential Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 68 6.10 Aspects/Impacts Scoped Out Of The EIA .............................................. 69 6.11 Any Other Information ........................................................................... 69 7 Cultural Heritage ............................................................................................ 70 7.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 70 7.2 NPSNN Requirements ........................................................................... 70 7.3 Consultations Undertaken And Proposed .............................................. 72 7.4 Baseline Information Obtained/Surveys Undertaken ............................. 73 7.5 Other Baseline Information To Be Obtained .......................................... 77 7.6 Key Environmental Receptors And Their Value .................................... 79 7.7 Methodology .......................................................................................... 83 7.8 Description of Possible Significant Effects on Receptors ...................... 92 7.9 Potential Mitigation Measures ............................................................... 94 7.10 Aspects/Impacts Scoped Out Of The EIA .............................................. 94 7.11 Any Other Information ........................................................................... 94 8 Landscape ...................................................................................................... 95 8.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 95 8.2 NPSNN Requirements ........................................................................... 95 8.3 Consultations Undertaken And Proposed .............................................. 98 8.4 Baseline Information Obtained/Surveys Undertaken ............................. 99 8.5 Other Baseline Information To Be Obtained ........................................ 100 8.6 Key Environmental Receptors And Their Value .................................. 101 8.7 Methodology ........................................................................................ 104 8.8 Description Of Possible Significant Effects On Receptors ................... 111 8.9 Potential Mitigation Measures ............................................................. 111 8.10 Aspects/Impacts Scoped Out Of The EIA ...........................................