News

On 10 July 2018, Highways England published a revised development boundary to replace the previous red line boundary.  The revised boundary is available to view at  https://highwaysengland.co.uk/lower-thames-crossing-in-my-area/ This shows the land they want to protect from conflicting development in case it is needed for constructing or operating the Lower Thames Crossing.  They have asked local planning authorities to protect the land inside the development boundary from any new development that could potentially conflict with the scheme, and to advise them if any planning applications are submitted within 200 metres of the development boundary. At the same time, they contacted homeowners and land owners who may be directly affected to inform them of the latest changes to the development boundary. Since the last boundary was published in November 2017, Highways England say they have been working to better understand the impact of the scheme design on the environment and local communities, and the changes to the boundary are a result of this.  They have identified areas that they think they might need, to manage flood risk and minimise the impact of the scheme on the local people, businesses and environment.  Most of the additional land in the development boundary is for environmental mitigation, it is not the project itself getting bigger. The main reasons for the changes are given as: Environmental mitigation – to help mitigate the impacts of the proposed road. For example, replanting areas of woodland or creating new wildlife habitats. Flood compensation – potential areas where they may need to lower the level of the existing land to replace flood zone that will be affected. Utility diversions –there are various utilities that may need to be diverted, such as overhead electricity pylons and gas pipelines. They have included land for diverting these within the revised development boundary. Flood … Read more

During the coming months, Gravesham Borough Council) will be carrying out surveys of properties within the rural conservation areas in order to update the Article 4 Directions.  This includes Thong, Shorne, Chestnut Green, and Queens Farm conservation areas. The surveys will entail noting existing external elements; windows, doors and roofing materials etc. and taking external photographs of building elevations visible from the public highway, public footpath or open public space. The surveys will be carried out by an officer from Gravesham Borough Council who will carry appropriate ID and will take place during our normal office hours Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm. For further information, go online to: https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/home/planning-and-building/heritage-and-conservation/article-4-directions

Lower Thames Crossing are planning to undertake Aerial LiDAR (Light, Detection & Ranging) Surveys, week commencing 11 June. This will involve a helicopter flying over local areas for three days along the proposed LTC route corridor – this will include areas outside of the development line boundary. The aerial surveys are required to provide information which will help with the development of the detailed route design. The helicopter will be flying approximately 260m above the ground at a speed of approximately 60kts (69mph) whilst capturing data. Following the aerial survey, there will be an approximate three week duration in which surveyors will use non-intrusive survey equipment to validate the survey accuracy of the LiDAR point cloud and review against Ground Control Points. These locations (such as corners or existing manholes) will be accessible to the surveyors from public areas and as a result, the surveyors will spend only a short amount of time at a Ground Control Point location. The above planned LiDAR survey is subject to suitable weather conditions and the programmed survey date is subject to change.

Residents are reminded to check and cut back any garden hedges, trees, or other vegetation that overhangs or otherwise obstructs roads, pavements, or footpaths. It is worth noting that property owners are legally obliged to ensure that their garden vegetation is kept trimmed so that it does not obstruct the passage of pedestrians or vehicles, or interfere with the view of drivers of vehicles. We do receive complaints about garden vegetation obstructing pathways and sightlines from time to time.  In these circumstances, we have the right to report this to Kent County Council, who have the power to serve a legal notice requiring the owner to cut back the offending vegetation within 14 days.  KCC’s interpretation is very strict, requiring that the full width of any adjacent footpath is available for use by pedestrians, that there is a minimum of 2.4 metres (8ft) clearance above any footpaths, and that there is a minimum of 5.2 metres (17ft) clearance above any roadways where trees overhang. However, in most cases we write a polite note to the property occupier in the first instance, asking them to trim back their vegetation so that we do not have to report it to KCC. We don’t want to have to write to you, so if your property has hedges, bushes, or trees adjacent to a footpath, pavement, or roadway, please ensure that they are kept trimmed back so that they do not cause any obstruction.

Highways England’s latest thinking, announced on 1st November 2017, is to remove the proposed junction from the A226 between Chalk and Shorne, in order to reduce the traffic impact on local roads. However, the new plan indicates that the link roads will now be 3 lanes in each direction, and entails the widening of the A2 from 4 to 5 lanes from the junction east of Gravesend all the way to the M2. The removal of the junction on the A226 is of course good news, although it is still included in the redline development boundary plans. The changes to the redline development boundary in other areas need further explanation and clarification. In any event, people should be under no illusion about the level of traffic, pollution, and environmental damage that the crossing east of Gravesend will bring to this area. The removal of the A226 junction allows the tunnel portals to be moved further south, away from Chalk, and it is disappointing that Highways England has not made this decision yet. Whilst it is encouraging that they are continuing their assessment about the length of the tunnel and where to locate the entrances, it is essential that the tunnels are extended as close to the A2 as possible to minimise the impact on the lives of people living in Thong and Shorne West. The Parish Council will be meeting Highways England soon to seek further information.

Many thanks and congratulations to all those who joined our Litter Patrol on 21st October. Over 30 people participated, including 5 residents who weren’t able to make it on the day but did their litter picking separately. Fortunately the weather started out okay, although there was a downpour later which dampened spirits a little! As usual, residents in Shorne Ifield Road rolled up their sleeves and tackled the fly tipping that occurs there with depressing frequency. Some of these photos need to be seen to be believed! But within 2 hours of the work being completed, yet another vanload of fly tipping was dumped there! It is pleasing to note that there was less litter in areas such as The Ridgeway and Pear Tree Lane than in previous patrols. No doubt this is because we have broken the back of it in previous patrols, but also perhaps the new wheelie bins are helping. Organiser Bob Lane said, “Once again, this was a great turn-out and a terrific accomplishment by the teams of volunteers, including others who were unable to participate on the day but took it upon themselves to pick litter during the run-up to the event.  It is good to see our streets litter-free, and the volunteers can be proud of the results”. If you would like to participate in future Litter Patrols, please contact Bob on 01474 822680 or by email to bob.lane@gmx.co.uk.  

As many of you may be aware, Shorne Parish Council has recently installed a CCTV system in the centre of the village. This is to help deter crime and antisocial activity in order to provide a safe and secure environment and to prevent the loss or damage to property. We are pleased to report that Kent County Council has awarded a grant for the full capital cost of the installation, as recommended and sponsored by Bryan Sweetland, Kent County Councillor for Gravesham Rural.