Representation by Metropolitan Police Service (Metropolitan Police Service)
- Date submitted
- 23 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Other statutory consultees
Knight Frank act on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), in relation to the Metropolitan Police Service Training Centre (MPSTC) Gravesend site. The site is a specialist firearms and public order training facility, used by the MPS and other UK national police forces. It is therefore a site of not only London wide security and safety importance, but also of National importance. The proposed Lower Thames Crossing would have a tunnel passing under the MPSTC site and a construction compound, known as the Milton Compound, immediately adjoining the firing range. MPS has been in discussions with National Highways, with a view to signing a legal agreement regarding the conditions under which these works would be undertaken. At the time of writing, this agreement has not yet been drafted or signed. Given that the agreement has yet to be drafted and signed, MPS is registering as an interested party for the DCO Examination. The key issues to MPS as an interested party are as follows: 1. MPSTC Site Access: Access to the whole MPSTC site is via plot 15.01, which is due to be possessed on a temporary basis. It is essential that unfettered access must be maintained throughout the construction process, along the existing route, or where necessary via an agreed alternative. 2. MPSTC Safety Bund: Firing range safety is in part dependent on an earth bund along the southern boundary of the firing area. The proposed compound layout for the Milton Compound breaches a section of the bund. The indicative Milton Compound plan shows ‘temporary range protection’ as a replacement. Details of the temporary range protection must be agreed with MOPAC. 3. MPSTC Internal Access Road: The compound area plots 15-09 and 15-17 includes part of an internal access road which currently provides access to the range building to the east of plot 15-21. It has been agreed in principle that an existing access road along the north side of the earth bund, protecting the range, will be upgraded for use as an alternative access route. However, the land plan and the indicative compound layout plan both show that plot 15-17 encroaches onto this track. 4. Potential stray bullets: National Highways must ensure that any contractors are aware that it may be possible for a stray bullet to hit and bounce off anything above the level of the protective bund to the firing range. This may for example be relevant in relation to any cranes within the proposed construction compound. MPS hopes to reach written agreement with National Highways before the deadline for submitting evidence to the Examination. However, if this is not possible, then MPS will proceed and submit full evidence relating to the issues set out above.