Issue - meetings

Lower Thames Crossing

 

 

Meeting: 09/07/2013 - Cabinet (Item 4)

4 Options for a New Lower Thames Crossing - Consultation Response pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Minutes:

Background:

 

This report summarised the Department for Transport consultation on the options for additional road-based river crossing capacity in the Lower Thames area.

 

The location options considered were:

  • option A: at the site of the existing A282 Dartford-Thurrock crossing
  • option B: connecting the A2 with the A1089
  • option C: connecting the M2 with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30
  • option C variant: connecting the M2 with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30, and additionally widening the A229 between the M2 and the M20.

A map was attached to the report, which displayed the location of the three options and the variant for option C.

 

The report noted that the location of a new crossing could have a significant impact on land use and transport policies in Medway. The relative merits and disbenefits of the options, from Medway Council’s point of view, were summarised and a recommended response to the consultation was set out at Appendix B to the report.

 

Decision number:

Decision:

105/2013

The Cabinet agreed that the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture respond to the Options for a New Lower Thames Crossing Consultation Document by submitting a response which advises that:

(a)            Medway Council does not support Option B;

(b)           It would be helpful to see the effects of free flow charging on the existing Dartford crossings commencing in 2014 before determining whether Options A or C Variant merit further consideration;

(c)            Medway Council does not support Options D and E being reconsidered on the basis that the Department for Transport has previously ruled out these options on cost (value for money) grounds. 

(d)           Medway Council believes the Variant route should be included in either option A or Option C.

Reasons:

 

To ensure the views of Medway Council are fully understood by the Department for Transport.