Surveys and Ground Investigations in your area

We are carrying out a programme of surveys and ground investigations under the Thames and across Essex, Thurrock, and Kent, to help us design the Lower Thames Crossing and the way we will build it.

What will you see?

We need to carry out a number of different types of surveys, including ground penetrating radar (GPR), trial trenching for archaeology and utilities, various types of boreholes and assessments of existing structures.

Most of them will have no impact on road users as they will be in rural areas or on private land. At times, we may need to use traffic management or lane closures for the safety of both our staff and road users. When we do this our priority will be to minimise the impact on the local communities.

We will be using several types of machinery that you may be able to see while the works are carried out, including excavators, as well as staff wearing hi-vis clothing.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Surveys

GPR uses radar pulses to create a profile of what the ground looks like beneath the surface. We will be using both push and mobile GPR techniques.

Mobile GPR uses equipment attached to a van or tractor. This will be used on the roads to carry out the non-invasive surveys.  We will carry out the majority of the works using this method.

Archaeological Trial Trenching (ATT) Surveys

Mechanical excavators will be used to dig shallow trenches.  We will be excavating the soil to look for archaeological features.

We will put up barriers around the trenches and replace the soil once the excavations are completed.  The locations for the trial trenches will mainly be on private farmland on or near the proposed route.

Utilities Trial Trenching (UTT) Surveys

We will dig trial trenches using vacuum excavators or hand dug which will provide us with the most up to date information of the location of existing buried utilities.

The trial trenches will include both work on the road network and off the road network. When we are carrying out works on the carriageway we will need to use traffic management.  Barriers will be placed around the trenches and we will replace the soil once the excavations are completed.

Ground Investigation Surveys

Ground investigation surveys will assess the soil, rock and groundwater conditions to ensure safe and efficient construction. We will use both rotary coring and cable percussion methods which involve a 7m tall frame lowering drilling tools up to 60m deep.

Initial Ecological Walkover Surveys

These surveys will include species including Great Crested Newts, Bats, Badgers, Water Voles & Owls.

Walk Over and Geo-Physical Surveys

We are also undertaking several other nonintrusive
surveys which include:

Ecological, arboreal and protected species surveys
Small teams of ecologists will be assessing and observing the ecology and protected species in the area using binoculars, including pond testing, checking field margins, trees & hedgerows.

Working in the community

Our priority is to carry out this programme of work in a way that will have the smallest possible impact on the nearby community and environment.

The majority of our work will be carried out during normal working hours, between Monday and Friday.

Explore our interactive map and view work and road closures near you.