Community update - Autumn 2020
Published
07 Oct 2020
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Welcome to the autumn edition of our community update.
Our new video comes at an exciting time for the Lower Thames Crossing, as we bring over 270 days of consultation to a close and prepare to submit our planning application.
We’ve made this short film to keep you updated with our activities and let you know our plans for the future.
In this edition, we cover the free training available for local businesses, a round-up of our recent consultation, a quick look-ahead to our planning application and an overview of the work taking place in and around Kent, Thurrock and Essex.
Click above to watch the video on our YouTube channel and read more below.
Free training available for local businesses – the Supply Chain Sustainability School
We will need a huge variety of businesses to help us deliver the scheme and we want to make sure local businesses benefit. Find out how to take advantage of free training and resources that will help you get ready to bid for work on this, or any other major infrastructure project.
Since we began consulting in 2013, over 270 days of consultation has come to a close
Earlier this summer, we held our design refinement consultation. This gave you the chance to see and comment on some refinements we proposed to the design of the Lower Thames Crossing based on feedback from previous consultations, design development and new technical data.
Click to watch more in this section of the video newsletter
Seeking permission to build and operate the Lower Thames Crossing
After the close of the recent design refinement consultation, the next step is submitting our application for a Development Consent Order. If granted, this will give us the green light to build and operate the Lower Thames Crossing.
Our work on site in Kent, Thurrock and Essex continues
Our site investigations and surveys are continuing so we can learn as much as we can about the area to help us plan how we build the crossing.
Our recent work includes:
Ecology surveys
Since we started on site our team of ecologists has spent over 46,000 hours undertaking ecology surveys in areas along the proposed route to identity and protect local wildlife species and environmentally sensitive locations.
Click to watch more in this section of the video newsletter
Archaeological Trial Trenching
Earlier this year we began carrying out archaeological trial trenching to find our more about the significance, extent and survival of any preserved buried archaeology in the area.
Click to watch more in this section of the video newsletter
Utility Trial Trenches
To help us design the new road and plan how we build it, its crucial we know the precise location of existing utilities. We have been digging trial trenches using either vacuum excavators or hand dug to give us the most up to date information, returning the land back to its original condition.
Click to watch more in this section of the video newsletter~
Ground and marine investigations
We’ve now excavated over 10,000 core samples from 700 locations, that have been sent to specialist laboratories across the UK for testing and analysis.
Click to watch more in this section of the video newsletter
