Representatives of Shorne, Higham, and Chalk met with senior members and officers of Kent County Council at County Hall on 5th July, to discuss mitigation measures for the proposed Lower Thames Crossing east of Gravesend.
The meeting, arranged by Gravesham Rural County Councillor Bryan Sweetland, was attended by Matthew Balfour, KCC Cabinet Member for Planning, Highways, Transport and Waste, and his deputy Michael Payne, together with Transport Strategy Manager Joe Ratcliffe and Katie Pettitt, Principal Transport Planner.
At the meeting, KCC listened to our concerns, and shared their views on mitigation requirements not just for the immediate area, but also with regards to the impact on traffic on the A226, A227, A228, and surrounding roads and villages. It was particularly encouraging to hear KCC’s strong opposition to any junction on the A226, and their demand for additional tunnelling of the link road.
KCC also shared their proposed design drawings for the link road which they have recommended to Highways England and which, if adopted, would go a long way towards mitigating many of the worst impacts in the immediate vicinity of the crossing and link road, including Thong and Shorne West.
Clearly there is a still a lot of detail to address as the design is developed, and it was agreed that the parties would continue to liaise so that KCC can keep us updated on developments, and we can ensure that local concerns are taken into account.
Shorne Parish Council was represented by Susan Lindley and Bob Lane, with Higham councillor Peter Allinson and Rev. Nigel Bourne from Chalk.