Representation by Dickens' Country Protection Society (Dickens' Country Protection Society)
- Date submitted
- 5 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The Society was formed in 1972. The Society has submitted representations during the route selection process and in response to each consultation. The congestion at the Dartford Crossing is primarily caused by constraints of traffic having to use the two tunnels. The evidence is there to see on site that the bridge is free flowing subject to build-ups caused by the reduction in the speed limit. A second bridge (Brinkerhoff Option A) would largely solve the problem. The Society notes that in the Department of Transport report on the consultation published in December 2013, Option A commanded the most support. The Parsons Brinkerhoff Report in 2009 recognised the traffic impact Option C would have on North West Kent and included Option C +. The advocates of Option C have ignored the traffic impact on North West Kent because including the cost of Option C+ or something similar would undermine the cost benefits of their preferred scheme. Much of the traffic using the Dartford Crossing is seeking to gain access to the short sea routes to continental Europe and the Channel Tunnel. The primary route for this traffic is the M20 and this has not been recognised in the design and costings of the scheme. The approach of the promoters of the Scheme has been, once the traffic is on the A2/M2 it's not our problem. The information provided regarding the noise impact in the area of approach road interchange with the A2/M2 lacks detail. The predicted noise levels in the corridor on the A2 between Cobham and Shorne raises more questions than answers. More traffic the removal of the central reservation with its difference in level and trees and elevated slip roads at the junction with the tunnel approach road and a reduction in noise levels? The proposed highway works on the section of the A2/M2 between Cobham and Shorne increasing the number of traffic lanes from eight to twelve with the loss of the central landscape strip will have a major impact on the Green Belt and the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and resulting in the loss mature woodland. The potential impact of re-routing traffic off the M25 and into North West Kent and the effect on road network has not been properly assessed or mitigated. This includes increased congestion and resulting economic impact. Considering the environmental impact, the Society is strongly opposed to using high grade agricultural land for tree planting. It is in the national interest to use it to grow food. These proposals will also impact on the viability of agricultural holdings and damage existing open landscape. There is the potential for significant damage to the North Kent Marshes 'Ramsar' site due to ground water drainage and/or contaminated discharge. Control measures have not been defined.