Hever Court Road, Gravesend

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Lower Thames Crossing proposals: Following discussions with the British Horse Society, we propose a redesignation of the Hever Court pedestrian-cycle track north of the A2/LTC junction to a bridleway. This would improve connections from the existing bridleway that runs alongside cycle route NCR177 to footpath NG17, which would be upgraded from a footpath to a bridleway. This improved connectivity would link existing bridleway provision and newly created routes to Chalk Park via the new green bridge at Thong Lane over the A2/M2.

Impact of the change: Improved local connections for horse riders.

Michael Gardens (off Astra Drive), Gravesend

Map reference: 3

Lower Thames Crossing proposals: Following discussions with the British Horse Society, footpath NS169 would be redesignated as a pedestrian-cycle track rather than the bridleway proposed at the community impacts consultation. This redesignation is as a result of public concerns about horses near the children’s play area in Michael Gardens and the lack of stables in this location.

Impact of the change: Reduced local connectivity for horse riders than in previous proposals for footpath NS169.

A226 Gravesend Road, Gravesend

Map reference: 6

Lower Thames Crossing proposals: Following discussions with the British Horse Society and its request for an equestrian route parallel to the A226 Gravesend Road, the footpath and verge along that road was considered unsuitable for horse riders due to the narrow verges.

In response, we now propose that the northern section of footpath NG8 would be redesignated for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This links up to Lower Higham Road via Church Lane and would cross the A226 Gravesend Road. This north-south link to Church Lane would improve access to the existing east-west route along Lower Higham Road.

Impact of the change: There would be improved local connectivity for walkers, cyclists and horse riders towards Lower Higham Road and across the A226 Gravesend Road.

Land north of, and next to, Coalhouse Fort, East Tilbury and Bowaters Battery

Map reference: 12

Lower Thames Crossing proposals: Following the feedback received at the community impacts consultation, we are proposing to include new Public Rights of Way and permissive path links to the heritage sites of Coalhouse Fort and Bowaters Battery, and to East Tilbury. These new connections would create a variety of alternative routes that walkers, cyclists and horse riders on the coastal path could use to access Bowaters Battery and Coalhouse Fort. This would provide recreational and heritage benefits for the area.

As part of the Tilbury Fields redesign proposals in this area (detailed on page 45), we have also identified an opportunity to provide a link from BR58 (Coal Road) to FP200 through this area. This would be designated as a bridleway.

New footpaths within Tilbury Fields would ensure the park can be accessed via the Two Forts Way in the south and in the north by FP200. Alongside other footpath improvements in the Tilbury area, there would be enhanced recreational walks and loops connecting Tilbury Fields to the wider landscape with better access to the riverfront.

Impact of the change: This change would provide improved connections for recreational and heritage visitors in this area.

Mardyke River, western edge of Orsett Fen

Map reference: 18

Lower Thames Crossing proposals: At the community impacts consultation, we set out our mitigation proposals for an area of water vole habitat in the Mardyke Valley. Since then, we have been discussing the layout of the habitat with Natural England and we have put in place a minor refinement to its design.

The bridleway is proposed to move three metres east of its current route and would cross a new area of water vole habitat via bridges to the east of the Mardyke River.

Impact of the change: This refinement has resulted in a need to change the alignment of a short section of the existing bridleway BR219, running along the eastern bank of the Mardyke River.

To the west of the Mardyke River

Map reference: 19

Lower Thames Crossing proposals: At the community impacts consultation, we set out our proposals to partially upgrade footpath FP136 to a bridleway which was to cross the new road via a new bridge and connect to bridleway BR219 just south of the new road viaduct on the eastern side of the Mardyke River.

Following feedback from interested parties, we have amended the proposal in this area to provide a realigned bridleway link to the existing Mardyke Way bridleway BR219. Footpath FP136 would be upgraded to a bridleway to the west of the Mardyke between the river and the northern end of the bridge over the LTC. Features such as a gate and/or a stile would be installed to reduce and mitigate the likelihood of unauthorised vehicles accessing the route.

The proposed link between FP136 and BR219 south of the LTC would remain as a footpath instead of the previously proposed bridleway. There would also be utilities and maintenance access along the length of the new route with restricted maintenance access for utilities and the viaduct.

Consequently, the previously proposed equestrian bridge that would cross the Mardyke River to the south of the new road would be amended to a footbridge, while the existing footbridge to the north would be replaced with an equestrian bridge.

Impact of the change: By upgrading the existing footpath FP136 to a bridleway north of LTC, this would improve the user experience as the route of the bridleway would be located further away from the new road and follow a more scenic route.

A127 crossing, west of the M25, junction 29

Map reference: 25

Lower Thames Crossing proposals: At our community impacts consultation, we proposed a walking-cycling bridge to the west of M25 junction 29. Following feedback from the London Borough of Havering and local cyclists’ groups, we are now proposing a new bridge for walkers, cyclists and horse riders linking Moor Lane in the south to Folkes Lane in the north.

At present, pedestrians walking on the footways alongside the A127 and passing underneath the M25 can use crossing points over the slip roads connecting the A127 to the M25. The changes to the road network associated with the LTC would take away these crossing points, removing the connection across the M25 along the southern side of the A127, rerouting pedestrians across the northern side of the M25 junction 29 roundabout.

The newly proposed bridge improves the connectivity, by providing a crossing of the A127 to the west of the M25, allowing rerouted pedestrians to return to the southern side of the A127 more safely.

This additional bridge would also provide quicker and safer access from Cranham in the south to Hole Farm, an area of compensatory woodland planting that would form a new community woodland being developed in partnership with Forestry England.

A local extension to the Order Limits would be required to enable the construction of ramps leading up to the new bridge and to complete localised utility diversions.

Impact of the change: A new bridge would allow walkers, cyclists and horse riders to cross between north and south footways to both sides of the M25, ensuring east-west connectivity.

This would address some of the historical severance caused by the A127.

Construction of the bridge across the A127 to the west of junction 29 would have a minor impact on an area of Franks Wood and Cranham Brickfields Site of Nature Conservation, south of the A127.

This area of woodland is protected by a Tree Preservation Order and some of the trees covered by this would need to be removed to allow the footbridge to be installed.

Replacement planting would be provided for any trees or vegetation lost as part of construction of the footbridge and this would be secured through the updated Environmental Masterplan and Outline Landscape and Ecology Management Plan. There would also be utility diversions associated with bridge construction.

During construction of the new bridge, there would be a temporary closure of the footway that runs along the north side of the A127 eastbound off-slip. Pedestrian access would be maintained via a temporary local diversion along an area of land immediately next to the existing path, which would be in place for approximately three months.

The section of footway that connects Moor Lane to the south side of the A127 westbound on-slip would also be temporarily closed for approximately three months so the new bridge could be built. Potential diversions in this area would be discussed with relevant stakeholders.

Proposed A127 walking cycling and horse riding crossing east of M25 junction 29, Great Warley

Map reference: 26

Lower Thames Crossing proposals: In response to stakeholder feedback from the British Horse Society and Essex County Council, the proposed pedestrian-cycle bridge over the A127 east of M25 junction 29 (added to the proposals following the design refinement consultation), has been updated since the community impacts consultation. It would now also accommodate horse riders and includes a link to bridleway BR183. This means horse riders would no longer be dependent on the existing bridge across the A127 that is currently shared with vehicles (including HGVs).

The new bridge would link into the existing BR183 bridleway via a series of ramps, and would still be accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. A modification is now proposed to make the new bridge accessible to horse riders through the addition of equestrian parapets (barriers at a correct height for horse riders to ensure the safety of riders, horses and drivers on the road below).

Impact of the change: As a result of this change, there would be improved local connections and a safer crossing of the A127 for horse riders.

This proposal would mean that horse riders would no longer need to share the existing bridge across the A127 with vehicles.

This would therefore be safer for horse riders crossing the A127.