Every Saturday afternoon, thousands upon thousands of Kent football fans make journeys around the county on top of the millions that take place during the normal working week.
We’ve learned this week that the BOSTIK League has been contacted by Highways England in relation to their proposed new Lower Thames Road Crossing. They’ve asked that, as part of the public consultation which has just begun, the League bring the details of the scheme to their member clubs and supporters so that they can have their say. And that’s where KSN can get involved.
With the permission of the League’s Communication Officer Ian Townsend, we are reproducing the article to help all of our football and sports fans in general to have their say…
“The 14.5 mile route connecting Gravesham, and Thurrock, Essex would be a three lane motorway connecting the M2 near Rochester and the M25 in Essex between North and South Ockendon. It would include a 2.4 mile-long tunnel under the Thames between the east of Gravesend and Tilbury – the longest road tunnel in the UK – and, at over 50 feet wide, the third largest bored tunnel in the world. This crossing would apparently halve journey times for those crossing the river via the M25 and Dartford.”
Tim Jones, Project Director for Lower Thames Crossing, said: “For too long the Dartford Crossing has been the only way to get across the Thames east of London. It is a vital gateway, but carries more traffic than it was ever designed for and drivers there suffer from regular delays, severing communities and holding back economic growth.
“The Lower Thames Crossing is the most ambitious project of its kind ever in the UK and the biggest single road upgrade since the M25 was completed more than 30 years ago. It would almost double road capacity across the Thames to cut congestion, end the daily delays at the Dartford Crossing and boost the resilience of the whole road network. This consultation is an important opportunity for people to share their views on our proposals and help shape the Lower Thames Crossing.”
On the south side of the Thames, the new road will link the tunnel to the A2 and M2 in Kent. On the north side of the river, it will link to the A13 in Thurrock and then junction 29 of the M25 in the London Borough of Havering.
The Lower Thames Crossing will be made up of:
• A 2.4-mile (4km) tunnel
• Approximately 14.5 miles (23km) of new road connecting the tunnel to the existing road network
• 3 lanes in both directions with a maximum speed limit of 70mph
• New structures (including bridges, viaducts and an underpass) along the length of the new road
• Improvements to the M25, A2 and A13, where the Lower Thames Crossing connects to them
There are a number of public consultation events, which includes:
- Bluewater Shopping Centre, Bluewater Parkway, Greenhithe, DA9 9ST, on Saturday 20 October from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday 21 October from 11am to 5pm
- Chalk Parish Hall, Pirrip Close, Gravesend, DA12 2ND, on Monday 22 October from 2pm to 9pm
- Mick Jagger Centre, Shepherds Lane, Dartford, DA1 2JZ, on Tuesday 23 October from 2pm to 9pm
- Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend, DA12 4LG, on Thursday 1 November, from 2pm to 9pm
- Shorne Village Hall, 16 The Street, Shorne, DA12 3EA, on Saturday 3 November from midday to 6pm
- Gravesham Civic Centre, Windmill Street, Gravesend, DA12 1AU, on Wednesday 21 November from 2pm to 9pm
- Doubletree Dartford Bridge Hotel, Masthead Close, Crossways Business Park, Dartford, DA2 6QF, on Monday 3 December from 2pm to 9pm
- Dover Town Hall, Biggin Street, Dover, CT16 1DL, on Tuesday 4 December, from 2pm to 9pm
- Rochester Corn Exchange, Northgate, Rochester, ME1 1LS, on Wednesday 5 December, from 2pm to 9pm
Visit the Highways England website for more information and to give your views.