Following the announcement of Highways England's (HE) preferred route for the new Lower Thames crossing, all those likely to be affected by the proposed new road scheme should begin to 'get their house in order' to protect their businesses and capital assets, warns BTF Partnership
Tom French, compulsory purchase expert and partner at BTF Partnership, comments: "Whilst there are still possible variants to the preferred route 'C; which runs east of Gravesend, north through a bored tunnel to east of Tilbury and then to the A13 at Orsett and onwards to the M25, having reviewed the Highways England Assessment Report, the scope for major alterations is unlikely. However early communication with HE is critical so that they can understand the affects of the scheme on your farms and businesses".
"It would be naive to think that just because your house is on the proposed alignment or is going to suffer with increased road noise and the view spoilt, that this would override the requirement to met the economic, environmental and transport factors of the scheme.
"The public consultation period only runs until 24 March and although I would strongly advise all those potentially affected to take part, it should be done with the need to 'play smart' and not get over emotional. It sounds harsh, but in the cold light of day, the key is to 'manage' this period of uncertainty and understand your position.
"I am already having initial discussions with a number of farmers and business owners on both sides of the River Thames and although some might think it premature, as the scheme is identified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure project, the process to obtain a Development Consent Order is faster as compared to seeking a compulsory purchase order.
With pressure from significant development plans for new housing and employment in the area, which include London Gateway Port, Port of Tilbury, Ebbsfleet Garden City and London Paramount, the Lower Thames Crossing will happen, so don't bury your head in the sand".
Tom's 24 years of experience in compensation projects includes acting for land and business owners on a number of large infrastructure schemes to include a significant proportion of those affected by HS1, a consultant to the NFU on HS2, the A21 Dualling, A2/M2 widening scheme, the A2/A282 Dartford improvement, A289 Wainscott bypass and London Paramount.
Tom French concludes: "With the plans for the Thames Gateway development and with the existing crossings at breaking point, it's not a question of if it is built, but when it's built."
What is happening?
Highways England has examined options for a new Lower Thames crossing.
They have completed an assessment on two location options:
• near the existing Dartford Crossing
• a new link connecting the A2/M2 with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30.
They now propose that the new crossing should be located east of Gravesend and Tilbury.
When and where is this happening?
This scheme is still in the planning stages. Highways England have recommended that the location should be east of Gravesend and Tilbury.
Why is this happening and what will it cost?
The Dartford Crossing is currently the only crossing of the River Thames east of London. Motorists who use the crossing often have to put up with long queues due to congestion and capacity issues.
Successive studies commissioned by central and local government have identified the need for additional crossing capacity. A study undertaken for the department in 2009 identified short term interventions that would provide short to medium term relief of the congestion at Dartford and recommended that an additional crossing would be needed in the longer term.
Highways England are still in the early stages of planning the new crossing. Exact costs will depend on the final design.
