An area north of Shorne Ifield Road and a field south of Shorne Ifield Road

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Lower Thames Crossing proposals: Following the completion of archaeological work and feedback received during the community impacts consultation from landowners, Shorne Woods Country Park and people with properties to the north of Shorne Ifield Road, we are proposing to move the area of compensatory woodland planting (12.5ha) to the south of Shorne Ifield Road.

To support this change, the wider landscape design to the east of Thong Lane has been reviewed and refined following the relocation of the woodland planting. We have also extended our Order Limits to reflect this.

This woodland is being provided as part of a wider area of planting to compensate losses to ancient woodland resulting from the construction of the utilities and highways working areas in the A2/M2 corridor.

This planting would improve the woodland link between the Thong Lane Green Bridge and the woodlands within the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Shorne Woods Country Park.

Impact of the change: Moving the area of proposed compensatory tree planting would avoid a significant impact on the buried archaeology associated with a medieval settlement that has been discovered north of Shorne Ifield Road, while delivering the same level of woodland planting compensation as previously proposed at our statutory consultation.

It would also retain an area of agricultural land and maintain far-reaching views of the River Thames.

The new area of land for compensatory woodland planting is currently used for agriculture and has been added to our Order Limits. As a result of this, there would be a change in the landscape views to the south of Shorne Ifield Road and the views from a Grade II listed property and its setting. The landscape in this location is currently an agricultural field with a woodland edge.

The extent of woodland planting now proposed south of Shorne Ifield Road is similar to that previously proposed to the north of the road. However, the current location would relate better to existing woodland in Shorne Woods Country Park and therefore achieve a better fit with the existing landscape.

The revised location would also avoid obstructing views towards the Thames Estuary and beyond for users of Shorne Ifield Road and residents.

A2, Roman Road and Pepper Hill, Gravesend

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Lower Thames Crossing proposals: As a result of ongoing engagement and feedback from UK Power Networks during the community impacts consultation, a change to the Order Limits along the A2 and Roman Road is proposed. This would provide a safe working space and a viable route for electricity cables and avoid the potential closure of cycle route NCR177 for a prolonged period. The Order Limits would now extend to include Roman Road and Pepper Hill.

Impact of the change: To accommodate this change, there would be an extension of approximately 1ha to the Order Limits along the A2 and Roman Road. This would move utility works marginally closer to residents than previously proposed at the community impacts consultation. However, these works would only be for approximately one month and we expect any change in noise impacts to be minor.

There is likely to be traffic management in the form of localised single lane closures as the works progress.

The prolonged closure of cycle route NCR177 along the A2 (which would have been a risk under our previous proposals) has been avoided. In addition, the previous proposals would have involved removing the majority of the vegetation along the A2 and Roman Road, which screens the road from residents in the area.

The change means that approximately 300 metres of vegetation would be retained and would continue to provide visual and noise screening. Only 20 metres of vegetation (two 10-metre parcels) would be removed to allow for utility works.

Land at the Southern Valley Golf Club (east of the proposed southern tunnel entrance)

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Lower Thames Crossing proposals: Following engagement with the landowner, feedback received during the community impacts consultation and further design development, we propose to permanently acquire the remaining 8ha area of Southern Valley Golf Club. This site was previously identified for temporary use during construction.

This additional area would form part of the wider 92ha provision of open space land south of the river. This will therefore provide 8ha more land for public recreation than we proposed during the community impacts consultation.

Impact of the change: The additional land will be linked to the east of Chalk Park, a recreational area for the public containing new recreational routes and views to the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, by a public footpath and would provide further public access.

The existing ground level would be maintained, and the planting would include species that provide a rich, chalk grassland habitat and woodland groups that are reflective of the local area. The land would provide additional biodiversity benefits as well as enhancing the visual experience for users of the local footpath networks.