News

The North Kent Woods and Downs has now been officially established as a National Nature Reserve, part of the prestigious King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, a collection of sites designated for their exceptional ecological value during the reign of King Charles III.   Stretching from Gravesend to the Medway Valley, the North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve brings together ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands, and historic parklands.  These places are full of life, with ancient trees, rare wildflowers, and rich wildlife habitats – a landscape shaped by nature, people, and shared care for the land. Shorne Parish Council is proud to report that it has been accepted as an Affiliate Partner of the National Nature Reserve, and that Crabbles Bottom and Shorne Common Rough form part of the North Kent Woods and Downs National Nature Reserve. You can find out more about the NNR at https://kentdowns.org.uk/nkwd/.

On 25th March 2025, it was announced that the Secretary of State has granted the Development Consent Order for the Lower Thames Crossing to proceed.  This will be the largest construction site we have ever seen in this area, with a massive “spaghetti junction” between the Inn On The Lake and Marling Cross, and 10 lanes of traffic passing Shorne.  Shorne will lose its direct access to the M2, and traffic volumes and patterns will change forever throughout the area.  The decision notice can be seen at: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR010032/TR010032-006647-LTC%20-%20Notice%20of%20SoS%20Decision%20-%20Reg%2023%20or%2031%20-%20GRANTED.pdf

Some of you will have noticed the new livestock fencing and orchard restoration work at Crabbles Bottom. This is being carried out on our behalf by Kent Downs National Landscape, as part of their National Nature Reserve project, using £31,000 grant funding from the Lower Thames Crossing. In addition to the new fencing, the orchard restoration work includes restorative pruning to the orchard trees and planting with appropriate varieties where there are gaps in the orchard, as recommended by the Fruit Advisory Services Team.  

In late January 2024, KCC carried out a 2-day ANPR survey of vehicles using Green Farm Lane.  Out of 2,130 vehicle movements, a total of 2,116 (or 99.3%) were made by vehicles of 7.5 tonnes or less.  This left 14 movements by vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.  Of these, 10 of the journeys were legitimate, gaining access to premises within the weight-restricted zone.  Of the 4 remaining vehicle movements, one of the vehicles was unidentifiable, and one vehicle was responsible for 2 of the unauthorised vehicle movements (ie, a return trip).  Both the operators identified were sent Lorry Watch letters and apologised for the transgression. However, some residents did not accept that the results were representative, so at the Parish Council’s request and expense, KCC carried out a further ANPR survey between 12th November and 18th November 2014.  Shorne Parish Council met half the cost, which was just under £5,000. During the 7-day period, a total of 5,285 matched vehicle movements were identified, where the same vehicle was recorded entering and exiting from Green Farm Lane.  Of these: 4,200 (79.5%) were cars; 926 (17.5%) were LGVs (vans or vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or less); 2 were PSVs (a 4.6-tonne minibus which did a return trip); 88 were carried out by lorries of 7.5 tonnes or less; 46 were carried out by vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. Following detailed analysis, 23 of the vehicle movements by vehicles over 7.5 tonnes were identified as having legitimate reasons for being in Green Farm Lane, gaining access to premises within the weight-restricted zone.  The remaining 23 vehicle movements did not appear to have any legitimate reason for using Green Farm Lane. 8 of these 23 vehicle movements were made by 5 non-sign-written, unidentifiable vehicles.  Although the registration numbers were recorded, the DVLA will not disclose details … Read more

Unfortunately the erection of the footbridge scheduled for the weekend of 11th & 12th January 2025 has been delayed.

The new footbridge is scheduled to be lifted into place during the weekend of 11th & 12th January 2025, and open to the public 4 weeks later.  Before this can take place, there will be significant engineering work at the railway crossing, which will result in traffic restrictions and road closures.  Full details can be found below.